{"id":2069988,"date":"2026-07-30T16:25:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T13:25:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2069988"},"modified":"2026-07-30T16:25:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T13:25:28","slug":"this-is-the-best-year-for-tadej-pogacar-to-come-vuelta-a-espana-director-confident-in-tour-de-france-champions-participation-with-little-concern-over-likely-dominance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2069988","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;This is the best year for Tadej Poga\u010dar to come&#8217;\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a director confident in Tour de France champion&#8217;s participation, with little concern over likely dominance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-2560-80.png&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates meet to discuss and decide on targeting Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aPFbSXnHt45YcDmgLzFCaM-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aPFbSXnHt45YcDmgLzFCaM-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;Even the biggest champions don&#8217;t last forever&#8217; \u2013 Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare Remco Evenepoel for Tour de France victory challenge when Poga\u010dar begins to struggle\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-160-80.png.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-80-80.png.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tadej Poga\u010dar has proven he&#8217;s the best of all time, I don&#8217;t see anyone challenging him for another two years \u2013 Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUAE Team Emirates-XRG\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTadej Pogacar\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;This is the best year for Tadej Poga\u010dar to come&#8217;\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a director confident in Tour de France champion&#8217;s participation, with little concern over likely dominance<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-30T16:25:28Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n30 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">UAE sports manager Matxin says &#8216;there&#8217;s no clear date to finalize&#8217; decision as rumours gather more momentum<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-1600-80.png.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-750-80.png.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) won a fifth title at the 2026 Tour de France<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-48c29474-8c2b-11f1-b93c-73ef1e67faf2\">With 23 days to go until the start of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a in Monaco, it&#8217;s still unknown whether Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) will be present, but the rumours are continuing to swirl that he will make his return to the Spanish Grand Tour.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar made his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta seven years ago, finishing third overall and winning three stages as he burst fully onto the scene. He has gone on to win five Tour de France titles, a Giro d&#8217;Italia, and almost every other big race on the calendar in the time since.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-48c29474-8c2b-11f1-b93c-73ef1e67faf2-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Winning the Vuelta would complete the set of titles for the Slovenian, with his long-term rival Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) managing the same feat by winning the Giro in May this season, and according to Race Director Javier Guill\u00e9n, who is confident &#8220;this is the best year&#8221; for Poga\u010dar to do it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Hopefully,&#8221; Guill\u00e9n told Spanish newspaper <em>AS<\/em> when asked directly whether he&#8217;d be starting. &#8220;The latest information we have comes from Prince Albert. The rider would like to come. Once the Tour is over, he&#8217;ll assess whether he feels strong, motivated, and in good condition&#8230; Because if Tadej Poga\u010dar comes to the Vuelta, it&#8217;s certainly to win it; he won&#8217;t come any other way.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I, as the Vuelta director, am very optimistic that he can come. All the best circumstances are in place for him to come. It&#8217;s a Tour that has gone well for him, in terms of fatigue. I think the Vuelta is very well positioned at this time, given its distance from the Tour.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates meet to discuss and decide on targeting Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We shouldn&#8217;t get too hung up on a kilo or two in a cyclist&#8217; \u2013 No weight concerns for Tadej Poga\u010dar ahead of Tour de France, says UAE&#8217;s Matxin<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;He&#8217;s in Tour de France mode&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar at altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The stages are very suitable for him to put on the show he&#8217;s known for. And besides, coming to the Vuelta to win it is also a great springboard for him to repeat his victory as world champion in Canada. Therefore, this is the best year for Tadej to come.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Twelve months ago, UAE ruled out Poga\u010dar taking on the 2025 Vuelta as was originally planned, agreeing that the best plan was for him to rest and prepare for the World Championships in Rwanda, where he claimed a second road race rainbow jersey in a row.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-MkJRe3GBBwkvThnjoSnxwE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-MkJRe3GBBwkvThnjoSnxwE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It became a bigger rumour during this year&#8217;s Tour, when Prince Albert of Monaco said, &#8220;Tadej Poga\u010dar said he would be at the start, so we&#8217;ll see,&#8221; as reported by <em>L&#8217;Equipe<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Asked about it at the end of the Tour, Poga\u010dar wasn&#8217;t willing to confirm or deny whether he&#8217;d be racing in Spain, saying, &#8220;Right now, if the Vuelta starts tomorrow I say no, but in two weeks I can still decide.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The door was never closed, though, nor was it shut by UAE&#8217;s Sports Manager Joxean Fern\u00e1ndez Matxin when he spoke to <em>Marca<\/em> on Thursday.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;He\u2019s missing a little bit compared to other Tours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar observes Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s weaknesses at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar names teammate Isaac del Toro as a possible Tour de France winner<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Tadej keeps on surprising us&#8217; \u2013 The inside view on how UAE Team Emirates-XRG have constructed Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s assault on a fifth Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Now is the time to enjoy what we&#8217;ve achieved after three weeks of hard work,&#8221; said Matxin, with Poga\u010dar&#8217;s agent Alex Carera telling <em>Sky Italia<\/em> earlier this week tha,t &#8220;the UAE management and coach Javier Sola have planned a meeting for Tuesday with Tadej to decide&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">According to <em>La Gazzetta dello Sport<\/em>, the decision has already been made that he will race at the Monaco start of the Vuelta, with only official communication from the team missing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We&#8217;ll think it over and give an answer in due course, but there&#8217;s no clear date to finalize it right now,&#8221; added Matxin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Any UAE announcement is likely to be kept under wraps until after Poga\u010dar attends his important Pogi Challenge charity event this weekend, and next week&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes, where he will likely be present to support partner Ur\u0161ka \u017digart.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"we-need-tadej-pogacar-but-we-also-need-his-rivals-to-make-things-difficult-for-him-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;We need Tadej Poga\u010dar, but we also need his rivals to make things difficult for him&#8217;<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-36fd5330-8c2d-11f1-bde5-63ec091f8124\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Poga\u010dar last raced the Vuelta in 2019, finishing third overall and winning three stages on Grand Tour debut <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-48c296e0-8c2b-11f1-875f-a580e68e47da\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar would be the massive favourite to win the red jersey against the likes of compatriot Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d and Giro runner-up Felix Gall in Spain, and victory would make him the ninth rider in history to win all thee Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Race Director Guill\u00e9n isn&#8217;t concerned about any potential complete dominance from the Slovenian, though, simply wanting the best rider in the world and perhaps of all time to be back at his race for the first time since 2019.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In every race, and the Vuelta first and foremost, we want the best riders. And when you have the best, you run the risk that the best rider will put on the kind of displays he&#8217;s capable of,&#8221; said Guill\u00e9n.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We want to see those displays at the Vuelta. From there, I always say the same thing: we need Tadej Poga\u010dar, yes, but we also need the rest of Tadej&#8217;s rivals to be of a high enough caliber to make things difficult for him. I think we&#8217;ll have them. Furthermore, coming after the Tour de France adds to the fatigue that also needs to be managed. And from there, let the road give each rider what they deserve or what they&#8217;re capable of achieving.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me, the excitement is that he comes and, from there, does what he knows how to do, which is win, that the others make it difficult for him, and if not, we&#8217;ll all try to find challenges for Poga\u010dar so he can enjoy the Vuelta.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Guill\u00e9n wants the sport&#8217;s main star to be present at the final podium in Granada, after which he&#8217;ll have exactly two weeks to get prepared for the World Championships road race in Montreal, where he&#8217;ll eye a third rainbow jersey in a row, matching what only Peter Sagan has before in the men&#8217;s elite road race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;If he wins it, he&#8217;ll complete what he already is: a legend of the sport. He&#8217;ll have all three Grand Tours; there&#8217;ll be very little left for him to win, but certainly, joining that club is something I think his record demands,&#8221; said the Vuelta director.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The fans also ask it of Poga\u010dar, and it would undoubtedly be the culmination of a record that will become unattainable for any other cyclist in history.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-48c29794-8c2b-11f1-97ee-4b795e14a970\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Support our comprehensive coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a by subscribing to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get unrivalled race coverage throughout the three weeks, including member-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and all the latest tech on show. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-MkJRe3GBBwkvThnjoSnxwE\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-MkJRe3GBBwkvThnjoSnxwE slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">James Moultrie<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined\u00a0Cyclingnews\u00a0as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d\u2019Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport\u2019s top riders in Chlo\u00e9 Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports \u2013 rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates meet to discuss and decide on targeting Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We shouldn&#8217;t get too hung up on a kilo or two in a cyclist&#8217; \u2013 No weight concerns for Tadej Poga\u010dar ahead of Tour de France, says UAE&#8217;s Matxin<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He&#8217;s in Tour de France mode&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar at altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He\u2019s missing a little bit compared to other Tours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar observes Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s weaknesses at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar names teammate Isaac del Toro as a possible Tour de France winner<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Tadej keeps on surprising us&#8217; \u2013 The inside view on how UAE Team Emirates-XRG have constructed Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s assault on a fifth Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates meet to discuss and decide on targeting Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XbKLrGYSPE2FCzMYbQtSVP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XbKLrGYSPE2FCzMYbQtSVP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XbKLrGYSPE2FCzMYbQtSVP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XbKLrGYSPE2FCzMYbQtSVP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XbKLrGYSPE2FCzMYbQtSVP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;ll stay focused until Saturday&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s 24 hours of Tour de France celebrations end with a criterium win and a night at home<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LZbxQRLVyt6Rt5ZWmPkNeH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LZbxQRLVyt6Rt5ZWmPkNeH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LZbxQRLVyt6Rt5ZWmPkNeH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LZbxQRLVyt6Rt5ZWmPkNeH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LZbxQRLVyt6Rt5ZWmPkNeH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What next for Paul Seixas? Two weeks of rest, more training and racing, and the long-term picture post-Tour de France debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Rating every Tour de France team&#8217;s performance \u2013 The good, the great and the downright disappointing<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLTEfzvJViu9P8R9b485wH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLTEfzvJViu9P8R9b485wH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLTEfzvJViu9P8R9b485wH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLTEfzvJViu9P8R9b485wH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLTEfzvJViu9P8R9b485wH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sepp Kuss hoping to ride Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a for Grand Tour treble after &#8216;crazy fast&#8217; but &#8216;enjoyable&#8217; Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aPFbSXnHt45YcDmgLzFCaM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aPFbSXnHt45YcDmgLzFCaM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aPFbSXnHt45YcDmgLzFCaM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aPFbSXnHt45YcDmgLzFCaM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aPFbSXnHt45YcDmgLzFCaM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Even the biggest champions don&#8217;t last forever&#8217; \u2013 Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare Remco Evenepoel for Tour de France victory challenge when Poga\u010dar begins to struggle<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">SD Worx-Protime led by Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes and Anna van der Breggen at uncontrollable Tour de France Femmes with mixed ambitions<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KJ6Cxj9PJSjetA5TXfjqem-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KJ6Cxj9PJSjetA5TXfjqem-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KJ6Cxj9PJSjetA5TXfjqem-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KJ6Cxj9PJSjetA5TXfjqem-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KJ6Cxj9PJSjetA5TXfjqem-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jonas Vingegaard brushes off 2028 retirement rumours as he talks about Tour de France crash on visit to Tour of Denmark<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rG9cuZgeneyyzu6egaN3uW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rG9cuZgeneyyzu6egaN3uW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rG9cuZgeneyyzu6egaN3uW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rG9cuZgeneyyzu6egaN3uW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rG9cuZgeneyyzu6egaN3uW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There was a lot of chaos&#8217; &#8211; Roller coaster return for Wout van Aert ends in victory after being caught in mass crash in Tour of Denmark<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dS8bsRq2ekBAtzZtBGdBWb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dS8bsRq2ekBAtzZtBGdBWb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dS8bsRq2ekBAtzZtBGdBWb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dS8bsRq2ekBAtzZtBGdBWb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dS8bsRq2ekBAtzZtBGdBWb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">No riders revealed but Decathlon CMA CGM confirm creation of women&#8217;s team for 2027<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EuykcKHCRukC6UPNZT9aV-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EuykcKHCRukC6UPNZT9aV-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EuykcKHCRukC6UPNZT9aV-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EuykcKHCRukC6UPNZT9aV-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EuykcKHCRukC6UPNZT9aV-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kristen Faulkner, Noemi R\u00fcegg join world champion on EF Education-Oatly&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes roster<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Last year&#8217;s victory doesn&#8217;t guarantee anything&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot set to defend Tour de France Femmes title with balanced Visma support squad<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>What are the fastest UCI-legal road wheels? Wind tunnel testing the big-name brands and Chinese contenders<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tour de l&#8217;Ain: Markel Beloki seals overall victory on stage 3<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Cooke&#8217;s Mont Ventoux masterclass and a C\u00f4te d&#8217;Azur classic \u2013 A history of the Tour de France Femmes&#8217; key climbs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Jonas Vingegaard brushes off 2028 retirement rumours as he talks about Tour de France crash on visit to Tour of Denmark<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I pick my battle, and I choose the Tour de France&#8217; \u2013 Forget year-long dominance, Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is all about delivering when it counts most<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUAE Team Emirates-XRG\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTadej Pogacar\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;This is the best year for Tadej Poga\u010dar to come&#8217;\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a director confident in Tour de France champion&#8217;s participation, with little concern over likely dominance<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-30T16:25:28Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n30 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">UAE sports manager Matxin says &#8216;there&#8217;s no clear date to finalize&#8217; decision as rumours gather more momentum<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-1600-80.png.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-750-80.png.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) won a fifth title at the 2026 Tour de France<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 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py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none 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and winning three stages as he burst fully onto the scene. He has gone on to win five Tour de France titles, a Giro d&#8217;Italia, and almost every other big race on the calendar in the time since.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-48c29474-8c2b-11f1-b93c-73ef1e67faf2-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Winning the Vuelta would complete the set of titles for the Slovenian, with his long-term rival Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) managing the same feat by winning the Giro in May this season, and according to Race Director Javier Guill\u00e9n, who is confident &#8220;this is the best year&#8221; for Poga\u010dar to do it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Hopefully,&#8221; Guill\u00e9n told Spanish newspaper <em>AS<\/em> when asked directly whether he&#8217;d be starting. &#8220;The latest information we have comes from Prince Albert. The rider would like to come. Once the Tour is over, he&#8217;ll assess whether he feels strong, motivated, and in good condition&#8230; Because if Tadej Poga\u010dar comes to the Vuelta, it&#8217;s certainly to win it; he won&#8217;t come any other way.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I, as the Vuelta director, am very optimistic that he can come. All the best circumstances are in place for him to come. It&#8217;s a Tour that has gone well for him, in terms of fatigue. I think the Vuelta is very well positioned at this time, given its distance from the Tour.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates meet to discuss and decide on targeting Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We shouldn&#8217;t get too hung up on a kilo or two in a cyclist&#8217; \u2013 No weight concerns for Tadej Poga\u010dar ahead of Tour de France, says UAE&#8217;s Matxin<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;He&#8217;s in Tour de France mode&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar at altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The stages are very suitable for him to put on the show he&#8217;s known for. And besides, coming to the Vuelta to win it is also a great springboard for him to repeat his victory as world champion in Canada. Therefore, this is the best year for Tadej to come.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Twelve months ago, UAE ruled out Poga\u010dar taking on the 2025 Vuelta as was originally planned, agreeing that the best plan was for him to rest and prepare for the World Championships in Rwanda, where he claimed a second road race rainbow jersey in a row.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-MkJRe3GBBwkvThnjoSnxwE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-MkJRe3GBBwkvThnjoSnxwE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It became a bigger rumour during this year&#8217;s Tour, when Prince Albert of Monaco said, &#8220;Tadej Poga\u010dar said he would be at the start, so we&#8217;ll see,&#8221; as reported by <em>L&#8217;Equipe<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Asked about it at the end of the Tour, Poga\u010dar wasn&#8217;t willing to confirm or deny whether he&#8217;d be racing in Spain, saying, &#8220;Right now, if the Vuelta starts tomorrow I say no, but in two weeks I can still decide.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The door was never closed, though, nor was it shut by UAE&#8217;s Sports Manager Joxean Fern\u00e1ndez Matxin when he spoke to <em>Marca<\/em> on Thursday.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;He\u2019s missing a little bit compared to other Tours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar observes Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s weaknesses at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar names teammate Isaac del Toro as a possible Tour de France winner<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Tadej keeps on surprising us&#8217; \u2013 The inside view on how UAE Team Emirates-XRG have constructed Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s assault on a fifth Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Now is the time to enjoy what we&#8217;ve achieved after three weeks of hard work,&#8221; said Matxin, with Poga\u010dar&#8217;s agent Alex Carera telling <em>Sky Italia<\/em> earlier this week tha,t &#8220;the UAE management and coach Javier Sola have planned a meeting for Tuesday with Tadej to decide&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">According to <em>La Gazzetta dello Sport<\/em>, the decision has already been made that he will race at the Monaco start of the Vuelta, with only official communication from the team missing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We&#8217;ll think it over and give an answer in due course, but there&#8217;s no clear date to finalize it right now,&#8221; added Matxin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Any UAE announcement is likely to be kept under wraps until after Poga\u010dar attends his important Pogi Challenge charity event this weekend, and next week&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes, where he will likely be present to support partner Ur\u0161ka \u017digart.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"we-need-tadej-pogacar-but-we-also-need-his-rivals-to-make-things-difficult-for-him-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;We need Tadej Poga\u010dar, but we also need his rivals to make things difficult for him&#8217;<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-36fd5330-8c2d-11f1-bde5-63ec091f8124\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Poga\u010dar last raced the Vuelta in 2019, finishing third overall and winning three stages on Grand Tour debut <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-48c296e0-8c2b-11f1-875f-a580e68e47da\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar would be the massive favourite to win the red jersey against the likes of compatriot Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d and Giro runner-up Felix Gall in Spain, and victory would make him the ninth rider in history to win all thee Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Race Director Guill\u00e9n isn&#8217;t concerned about any potential complete dominance from the Slovenian, though, simply wanting the best rider in the world and perhaps of all time to be back at his race for the first time since 2019.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In every race, and the Vuelta first and foremost, we want the best riders. And when you have the best, you run the risk that the best rider will put on the kind of displays he&#8217;s capable of,&#8221; said Guill\u00e9n.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We want to see those displays at the Vuelta. From there, I always say the same thing: we need Tadej Poga\u010dar, yes, but we also need the rest of Tadej&#8217;s rivals to be of a high enough caliber to make things difficult for him. I think we&#8217;ll have them. Furthermore, coming after the Tour de France adds to the fatigue that also needs to be managed. And from there, let the road give each rider what they deserve or what they&#8217;re capable of achieving.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me, the excitement is that he comes and, from there, does what he knows how to do, which is win, that the others make it difficult for him, and if not, we&#8217;ll all try to find challenges for Poga\u010dar so he can enjoy the Vuelta.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Guill\u00e9n wants the sport&#8217;s main star to be present at the final podium in Granada, after which he&#8217;ll have exactly two weeks to get prepared for the World Championships road race in Montreal, where he&#8217;ll eye a third rainbow jersey in a row, matching what only Peter Sagan has before in the men&#8217;s elite road race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;If he wins it, he&#8217;ll complete what he already is: a legend of the sport. He&#8217;ll have all three Grand Tours; there&#8217;ll be very little left for him to win, but certainly, joining that club is something I think his record demands,&#8221; said the Vuelta director.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The fans also ask it of Poga\u010dar, and it would undoubtedly be the culmination of a record that will become unattainable for any other cyclist in history.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-48c29794-8c2b-11f1-97ee-4b795e14a970\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Support our comprehensive coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a by subscribing to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get unrivalled race coverage throughout the three weeks, including member-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and all the latest tech on show. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-MkJRe3GBBwkvThnjoSnxwE\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-MkJRe3GBBwkvThnjoSnxwE slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">James Moultrie<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined\u00a0Cyclingnews\u00a0as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d\u2019Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport\u2019s top riders in Chlo\u00e9 Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports \u2013 rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates meet to discuss and decide on targeting Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We shouldn&#8217;t get too hung up on a kilo or two in a cyclist&#8217; \u2013 No weight concerns for Tadej Poga\u010dar ahead of Tour de France, says UAE&#8217;s Matxin<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He&#8217;s in Tour de France mode&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar at altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He\u2019s missing a little bit compared to other Tours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar observes Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s weaknesses at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar names teammate Isaac del Toro as a possible Tour de France winner<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Tadej keeps on surprising us&#8217; \u2013 The inside view on how UAE Team Emirates-XRG have constructed Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s assault on a fifth Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates meet to discuss and decide on targeting Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XbKLrGYSPE2FCzMYbQtSVP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XbKLrGYSPE2FCzMYbQtSVP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XbKLrGYSPE2FCzMYbQtSVP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XbKLrGYSPE2FCzMYbQtSVP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XbKLrGYSPE2FCzMYbQtSVP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;ll stay focused until Saturday&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s 24 hours of Tour de France celebrations end with a criterium win and a night at home<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LZbxQRLVyt6Rt5ZWmPkNeH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LZbxQRLVyt6Rt5ZWmPkNeH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LZbxQRLVyt6Rt5ZWmPkNeH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LZbxQRLVyt6Rt5ZWmPkNeH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LZbxQRLVyt6Rt5ZWmPkNeH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What next for Paul Seixas? Two weeks of rest, more training and racing, and the long-term picture post-Tour de France debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5uMbabmoskBj3SV9sCnCH6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Rating every Tour de France team&#8217;s performance \u2013 The good, the great and the downright disappointing<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLTEfzvJViu9P8R9b485wH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLTEfzvJViu9P8R9b485wH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLTEfzvJViu9P8R9b485wH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLTEfzvJViu9P8R9b485wH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLTEfzvJViu9P8R9b485wH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sepp Kuss hoping to ride Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a for Grand Tour treble after &#8216;crazy fast&#8217; but &#8216;enjoyable&#8217; Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aPFbSXnHt45YcDmgLzFCaM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aPFbSXnHt45YcDmgLzFCaM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aPFbSXnHt45YcDmgLzFCaM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aPFbSXnHt45YcDmgLzFCaM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aPFbSXnHt45YcDmgLzFCaM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Even the biggest champions don&#8217;t last forever&#8217; \u2013 Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare Remco Evenepoel for Tour de France victory challenge when Poga\u010dar begins to struggle<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8r6nc4LCSG6ojytsGfLBD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">SD Worx-Protime led by Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes and Anna van der Breggen at uncontrollable Tour de France Femmes with mixed ambitions<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KJ6Cxj9PJSjetA5TXfjqem-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KJ6Cxj9PJSjetA5TXfjqem-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KJ6Cxj9PJSjetA5TXfjqem-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KJ6Cxj9PJSjetA5TXfjqem-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KJ6Cxj9PJSjetA5TXfjqem-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jonas Vingegaard brushes off 2028 retirement rumours as he talks about Tour de France crash on visit to Tour of Denmark<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rG9cuZgeneyyzu6egaN3uW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rG9cuZgeneyyzu6egaN3uW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rG9cuZgeneyyzu6egaN3uW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rG9cuZgeneyyzu6egaN3uW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rG9cuZgeneyyzu6egaN3uW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There was a lot of chaos&#8217; &#8211; Roller coaster return for Wout van Aert ends in victory after being caught in mass crash in Tour of Denmark<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dS8bsRq2ekBAtzZtBGdBWb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dS8bsRq2ekBAtzZtBGdBWb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dS8bsRq2ekBAtzZtBGdBWb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dS8bsRq2ekBAtzZtBGdBWb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dS8bsRq2ekBAtzZtBGdBWb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">No riders revealed but Decathlon CMA CGM confirm creation of women&#8217;s team for 2027<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EuykcKHCRukC6UPNZT9aV-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EuykcKHCRukC6UPNZT9aV-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EuykcKHCRukC6UPNZT9aV-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EuykcKHCRukC6UPNZT9aV-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EuykcKHCRukC6UPNZT9aV-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kristen Faulkner, Noemi R\u00fcegg join world champion on EF Education-Oatly&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes roster<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MaYN5X83X7zFgoHKdrr7da-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Last year&#8217;s victory doesn&#8217;t guarantee anything&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot set to defend Tour de France Femmes title with balanced Visma support squad<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sKWF6VNwL8aBFdUFVhiyPR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>What are the fastest UCI-legal road wheels? 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Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-48c29474-8c2b-11f1-b93c-73ef1e67faf2\">With 23 days to go until the start of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a in Monaco, it&#8217;s still unknown whether Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) will be present, but the rumours are continuing to swirl that he will make his return to the Spanish Grand Tour.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar made his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta seven years ago, finishing third overall and winning three stages as he burst fully onto the scene. He has gone on to win five Tour de France titles, a Giro d&#8217;Italia, and almost every other big race on the calendar in the time since.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-48c29474-8c2b-11f1-b93c-73ef1e67faf2-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Winning the Vuelta would complete the set of titles for the Slovenian, with his long-term rival Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) managing the same feat by winning the Giro in May this season, and according to Race Director Javier Guill\u00e9n, who is confident &#8220;this is the best year&#8221; for Poga\u010dar to do it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Hopefully,&#8221; Guill\u00e9n told Spanish newspaper <em>AS<\/em> when asked directly whether he&#8217;d be starting. &#8220;The latest information we have comes from Prince Albert. The rider would like to come. Once the Tour is over, he&#8217;ll assess whether he feels strong, motivated, and in good condition&#8230; Because if Tadej Poga\u010dar comes to the Vuelta, it&#8217;s certainly to win it; he won&#8217;t come any other way.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I, as the Vuelta director, am very optimistic that he can come. All the best circumstances are in place for him to come. It&#8217;s a Tour that has gone well for him, in terms of fatigue. I think the Vuelta is very well positioned at this time, given its distance from the Tour.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUEEi2WzDZNWhsdyiYZCF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates meet to discuss and decide on targeting Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7gnF2TkcErBLX48kHnJeQ-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We shouldn&#8217;t get too hung up on a kilo or two in a cyclist&#8217; \u2013 No weight concerns for Tadej Poga\u010dar ahead of Tour de France, says UAE&#8217;s Matxin<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LpQsdN53Tmuw3mQKgs4r5n-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;He&#8217;s in Tour de France mode&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar at altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The stages are very suitable for him to put on the show he&#8217;s known for. And besides, coming to the Vuelta to win it is also a great springboard for him to repeat his victory as world champion in Canada. Therefore, this is the best year for Tadej to come.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Twelve months ago, UAE ruled out Poga\u010dar taking on the 2025 Vuelta as was originally planned, agreeing that the best plan was for him to rest and prepare for the World Championships in Rwanda, where he claimed a second road race rainbow jersey in a row.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-MkJRe3GBBwkvThnjoSnxwE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-MkJRe3GBBwkvThnjoSnxwE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It became a bigger rumour during this year&#8217;s Tour, when Prince Albert of Monaco said, &#8220;Tadej Poga\u010dar said he would be at the start, so we&#8217;ll see,&#8221; as reported by <em>L&#8217;Equipe<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Asked about it at the end of the Tour, Poga\u010dar wasn&#8217;t willing to confirm or deny whether he&#8217;d be racing in Spain, saying, &#8220;Right now, if the Vuelta starts tomorrow I say no, but in two weeks I can still decide.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The door was never closed, though, nor was it shut by UAE&#8217;s Sports Manager Joxean Fern\u00e1ndez Matxin when he spoke to <em>Marca<\/em> on Thursday.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;He\u2019s missing a little bit compared to other Tours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar observes Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s weaknesses at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar names teammate Isaac del Toro as a possible Tour de France winner<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Tadej keeps on surprising us&#8217; \u2013 The inside view on how UAE Team Emirates-XRG have constructed Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s assault on a fifth Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Now is the time to enjoy what we&#8217;ve achieved after three weeks of hard work,&#8221; said Matxin, with Poga\u010dar&#8217;s agent Alex Carera telling <em>Sky Italia<\/em> earlier this week tha,t &#8220;the UAE management and coach Javier Sola have planned a meeting for Tuesday with Tadej to decide&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">According to <em>La Gazzetta dello Sport<\/em>, the decision has already been made that he will race at the Monaco start of the Vuelta, with only official communication from the team missing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We&#8217;ll think it over and give an answer in due course, but there&#8217;s no clear date to finalize it right now,&#8221; added Matxin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Any UAE announcement is likely to be kept under wraps until after Poga\u010dar attends his important Pogi Challenge charity event this weekend, and next week&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes, where he will likely be present to support partner Ur\u0161ka \u017digart.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"we-need-tadej-pogacar-but-we-also-need-his-rivals-to-make-things-difficult-for-him-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;We need Tadej Poga\u010dar, but we also need his rivals to make things difficult for him&#8217;<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-36fd5330-8c2d-11f1-bde5-63ec091f8124\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8oVt3J9N9qPkQWvShTFgX9-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Poga\u010dar last raced the Vuelta in 2019, finishing third overall and winning three stages on Grand Tour debut <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-48c296e0-8c2b-11f1-875f-a580e68e47da\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar would be the massive favourite to win the red jersey against the likes of compatriot Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d and Giro runner-up Felix Gall in Spain, and victory would make him the ninth rider in history to win all thee Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Race Director Guill\u00e9n isn&#8217;t concerned about any potential complete dominance from the Slovenian, though, simply wanting the best rider in the world and perhaps of all time to be back at his race for the first time since 2019.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In every race, and the Vuelta first and foremost, we want the best riders. And when you have the best, you run the risk that the best rider will put on the kind of displays he&#8217;s capable of,&#8221; said Guill\u00e9n.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We want to see those displays at the Vuelta. From there, I always say the same thing: we need Tadej Poga\u010dar, yes, but we also need the rest of Tadej&#8217;s rivals to be of a high enough caliber to make things difficult for him. I think we&#8217;ll have them. Furthermore, coming after the Tour de France adds to the fatigue that also needs to be managed. And from there, let the road give each rider what they deserve or what they&#8217;re capable of achieving.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me, the excitement is that he comes and, from there, does what he knows how to do, which is win, that the others make it difficult for him, and if not, we&#8217;ll all try to find challenges for Poga\u010dar so he can enjoy the Vuelta.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Guill\u00e9n wants the sport&#8217;s main star to be present at the final podium in Granada, after which he&#8217;ll have exactly two weeks to get prepared for the World Championships road race in Montreal, where he&#8217;ll eye a third rainbow jersey in a row, matching what only Peter Sagan has before in the men&#8217;s elite road race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;If he wins it, he&#8217;ll complete what he already is: a legend of the sport. He&#8217;ll have all three Grand Tours; there&#8217;ll be very little left for him to win, but certainly, joining that club is something I think his record demands,&#8221; said the Vuelta director.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The fans also ask it of Poga\u010dar, and it would undoubtedly be the culmination of a record that will become unattainable for any other cyclist in history.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-48c29794-8c2b-11f1-97ee-4b795e14a970\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Support our comprehensive coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a by subscribing to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get unrivalled race coverage throughout the three weeks, including member-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and all the latest tech on show. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/this-is-the-best-year-for-tadej-pogacar-to-come-vuelta-a-espana-director-confident-in-tour-de-france-champions-participation-with-little-concern-over-likely-dominance\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-2560-80.png&#8221;] 1 Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates meet to discuss and decide on targeting Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2 &#8216;Even the biggest champions don&#8217;t last forever&#8217; \u2013 Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare Remco Evenepoel for Tour de France victory challenge when Poga\u010dar begins to struggle 3 Tadej Poga\u010dar has proven he&#8217;s the best of all [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2069988","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2069988","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2069988"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2069988\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2069988"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2069988"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2069988"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}