Tadej Pogačar and Who? Here’s What We Know About the Vuelta a España Startlist

There’s no better way to brush off the hangover of the Tour de France than to start mulling who’s racing the Vuelta a España.

And now’s a good time to do it.

The evidence pointing toward Tadej Pogačar returning to the Spanish tour is mounting by the day.

Elsewhere, Wout van Aert is blasting stage wins at the Tour of Denmark ahead of a near-guaranteed Vuelta a España participation.

Tour de France stars Mads Pedersen and Mattias Skjelmose just confirmed they’re doubling their grand tour summer with three weeks in Spain.

Sepp Kuss, Primož Roglič, and João Almeida are other headliners in a crop of toppers expected to be at the start of the Spanish tour on August 22.

Reigning maillot rojo Jonas Vingegaard has not outlined his plans for the summer after he crashed out of the Tour de France.

However at this point, a Vuelta title defense seems unlikely for the Danish star.

Tadej Pogačar to the Vuelta a España – the rumor that just keeps giving

If the question over whether Pogačar will race the Vuelta a España feels familiar, that’s because it is.

The Slovenian’s return to the race where it all started with his sensational grand tour debut in 2019 has been a discussion ever since he won the Giro d’Italia in 2024.

For Pogačar, victory at the Vuelta would complete the grand tour grand slam, and is a key part of his quest to complete the cycling calendar.

And it seemed highly likely through the start of last year – until a knee injury and deep fatigue from the Tour de France thwarted the plan.

The rumor mill began spinning again just months later.

Vuelta a España organizers reignited the debate last autumn when they confirmed further details of the race’s 2026 Gran Salida from Monaco – Pogi’s adopted home.

The rumor mill got a fresh acceleration during the recent Tour de France. Both Prince Albert of Monaco and King Pogačar of the peloton dropped mischievous hints it would happen.

Vuelta a España posts social media teaser

Any attempts by Pogačar to backtrack and slow the speculation didn’t last long.

Speaking after his spectacular two-up attack with Mathieu van der Poel in Paris on stage 21 of the Tour, Pogačar said he was too cooked to think too far forward.

The Vuelta a España is not yet a done deal.

“At the moment, I don’t feel fresh enough to ride the Vuelta if it were to start tomorrow. I can still decide in two weeks,” Pogačar said last weekend.

Two days later, a hint-bomb landed into social media.

The Vuelta a España media crew posted a reel Tuesday of Pogačar’s debut appearance at the race as a baby-faced wunderkind with the caption “summer is getting interesting.”

Pogačar’s agent Alex Carrera told Sky Sports this week that UAE Emirates-XRG is finalizing the GOAT’s program leading to his world title defense in September.

Further details are expected to be confirmed later next week.

Pogačar’s Slovenian frenemy Roglič and his GC-caliber teammate Almeida will be among those praying that “The Pog Program” doesn’t include a line for the Vuelta.

Riders expected to be at the 2026 Vuelta a España

Here are the biggest names we’re expecting to see at the Vuelta a España, based on recent reports.

• Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates-XRG): He wants it all.
• João Almeida (UAE Emirates-XRG): On a quest to salvage a season derailed by illness.
• Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike): Making up for lost time after Tour de France disappointment.
• Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike): Not done climbing, even after racing the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.
• Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike): Brit sprint sensation poised for grand tour debut.
• Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek): Tour de France green jersey and defending Vuelta points champion wants more green for the wardrobe.
• Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek): On Cloud 9 after finishing an unexpected 6th at the Tour de France.
• Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe): Dreaming of breaking Robert Heras’ five-win record.
• Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA-CGM): Giro d’Italia runner-up looking to prove it wasn’t a one-off.
• Cian Uijtdebroeks (Movistar): Leading the home team after sickness sufferfest at the Tour de France.