{"id":2075300,"date":"2026-08-03T12:29:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T09:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2075300"},"modified":"2026-08-03T12:29:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T09:29:14","slug":"unstoppable-the-five-biggest-challenges-that-tadej-pogacar-will-face-at-this-years-vuelta-a-espana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2075300","title":{"rendered":"Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1024-80.jpg&#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\/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\">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                                    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=\"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\/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\">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                                    &#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=\"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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/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=\"2026-08-03T12:29:14Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Slovenian returns to the race that kickstarted Grand Tour career back in 2019<\/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\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-320-80.jpg.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\">Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2019: Tadej Poga\u010dar celebrates third overall<\/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\">2<\/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-a06c6dcc-8f2c-11f1-8656-81478744a4e0\">Monday&#8217;s announcement that Tadej Poga\u010dar will be racing the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a this August for the first time in seven years surprised virtually nobody.<\/p>\n<p>For one thing, there were the rumours that the UAE Team Emirates-XRG racer had been spotted doing recons of the Vuelta&#8217;s ultra-hard final week whilst at altitude camp in Granada and for another, the certainty that his 2026 race program was deliberately designed to have a much less demanding first half of the season.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a06c6dcc-8f2c-11f1-8656-81478744a4e0-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What mattered the most, though, was that Poga\u010dar&#8217;s form and, crucially, morale were seemingly much better in week 3 of the 2026 Tour de France than they were in 2025, making it ever more likely that psychologically speaking he would be motivated to race two Grand Tours in a single year. And as the team has pointed out on many occasions, at this point in his career where he&#8217;s conquered so much already, as important as race condition is, keeping Poga\u010dar&#8217;s motivation high is where a large part of the battle to keep him keen and competitive is lost and won.<\/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\">On top of that, a race start in his adopted European residence of Monaco and a route which \u2013 at least in the first half \u2013 suits him down to the ground all made completing his Grand Tour &#8216;set&#8217; in 2026 an ideal option. You could also argue that from a historical perspective, winning all three Grand Tours in the same year that he already equalled the all-time record for victories in the Tour de France and very likely will do the same in the World Championships underlines that whatever he achieves in cycling in 2027 and beyond is Poga\u010dar&#8217;s and Poga\u010dar&#8217;s alone.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Yet is it really a done deal that Poga\u010dar will win the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? By this point in his career and given his Grand Tour track record, anything but the Slovenian clinching the final victory in Granada on September 13 feels hard to conceive. However, it&#8217;s worth remembering Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s seemingly certain victory in the 2025 Vuelta was a closer-run affair than he&#8217;d have liked after falling ill in the second week, and on the toughest climb of all, the Angliru, arch-rival Jo\u00e3o Almeida was able to beat the Dane.<\/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\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar confirmed for first return to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a since 2019 Grand Tour debut<\/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\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-150-80.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;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<\/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\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-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;Let&#8217;s go one by one&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar wants to fill the gaps in his palmar\u00e8s, but which races are left to conquer?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s fans will point out, rightly, that the Slovenian has operated at a level above Vingegaard throughout the 2024 and 2025 Tours, their last two direct duels. And before Vingegaard crashed out of the 2026 race, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader was already all but out of reach on GC again. However, the Vuelta&#8217;s reputation for surprises and ambushes, not to mention last-minute plot twists, is just as justified as the Giro d&#8217;Italia&#8217;s. Poga\u010dar&#8217;s race to the only Grand Tour title still missing in his palmares could well have plenty of obstacles \u2013 and here are five of them.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"1-andorra-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">1. Andorra<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b4411176-8f32-11f1-ab51-5178fc3d4682\" 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\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-878d0536-8f2d-11f1-91cd-e94c240a6fd1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are plenty of reasons for thinking that Andorra on stage 4 of the Vuelta will likely be the crunch point of the whole race. One of the five hardest mountain stages of the 2026 race and the first major challenge of the race, nearly 3,000 metres of vertical climbing are packed into just over 100 kilometres. And it just so happens, too, that the final ascent of the Cornell\u00e1 was the same one where Chris Froome, the last rider to do the Tour-Vuelta double, was able to distance all his rivals and make a healthy down payment on overall victory.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Nj8LhPz8dLoWZYbTB6B3ZW\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Nj8LhPz8dLoWZYbTB6B3ZW 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\">Just like the Tourmalet in the 2026 Tour&#8217;s stage 6, Andorra is where Poga\u010dar could or should make his first major move towards victory. Delivering a knock-out blow as soon as the mountains come into view in a Grand Tour has been his winning strategy ever since Poga\u010dar began his bounce-back from the 2023 Tour de France defeat. And on top of that, Andorra was where he won his first stage in the Vuelta (and any Grand Tour) back in 2019. More than enough reasons for Poga\u010dar to try to bring things full circle here in 2026.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"2-primoz-roglic-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">2. Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b44111f8-8f32-11f1-b236-bdc92489a0b6\" 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\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-878d061c-8f2d-11f1-85db-471bb78f63fb\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even if Tadej Poga\u010dar does claim the outright Vuelta victory in seven weeks time in Granada, there&#8217;s one title and record that won&#8217;t fall his way.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Together with Spanish climber Roberto Heras, Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d currently holds the joint record for Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a victories and could take a historic fifth title this year. But in terms of the Vuelta, Rogli\u010d is already in a league of his own.<\/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\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-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\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/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\/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-[#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\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-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\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar win a sixth Tour de France? &#8211; What can we expect from the 2027 Grand Boucle<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">No disrespect intended to Heras, but if stage wins, time in the race lead and his third place in the 2023 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a are also taken into account, for all he has fewer top five finishes than Heras, the Slovenian veteran can easily be considered the greatest ever Vuelta rider in history.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">At 36, he may be in the twilight years of his career, but that depth of experience already makes him a formidable rival for Poga\u010dar. Other elements, like Rogli\u010d&#8217;s only Grand Tour of 2026 being the Vuelta, making him much fresher, could also come into play, particularly in the third week where Poga\u010dar might \u2013 might \u2013 be feeling the length of the season in his legs.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The opposition doesn&#8217;t stop at Rogli\u010d, of course. Four-times podium finisher Enric Mas (Movistar), backed by 2016 Vuelta winner Nairo Quintana, could well be a factor, as could Giro runner-up Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM), who is clearly yet to find an upper limit to his Grand Tour climbing. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) and Netcompany Ineos duo Carlos Rodr\u00edguez and Oscar Onley also all have the potential to make a GC bid. But in terms of race history, if Poga\u010dar starts as the man to beat \u2013 and where doesn&#8217;t he? \u2013 it&#8217;s Rogli\u010d who&#8217;ll be riding down the Monaco start ramp on the evening of August 22 as the Vuelta&#8217;s initial reference point.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"3-the-ultra-tough-second-half-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">3. The ultra-tough second half<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b4411270-8f32-11f1-9f21-cfcb81c3bfa6\" 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\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-badcdd2c-8f2c-11f1-a3ed-27e3c9f3cbc2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">One of the questions we&#8217;ll never know is \u2013 would Poga\u010dar have opted to race the Vuelta in 2026 if it had finished in the Canary Islands, as was originally planned for this year&#8217;s race? Either way, the organisation&#8217;s switching to a full-blown final ten days in the sierras of Andalucia as an alternative will represent a major challenge for Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Four very varied major challenges are on offer here: the grinding, sunbaked ascent to the remote lunar landscapes of Calar Alto on stage 12 and its equally formidable penultimate, parched ascent of the Velefique, the brutally narrow, steep climb to La Pandera on stage 15, the devastatingly long rise through the southern sierras to Pe\u00f1as Blancas on stage 19 and the knock-out grand finale at Collado del Alguacil on stage 20. Add in a major time trial at the beginning of the third week, and no wonder race director Javier Guill\u00e9n describes the Vuelta 2026 as the hardest he&#8217;s ever overseen.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"4-the-extreme-heat-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">4. The extreme heat <\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b4411306-8f32-11f1-bee7-cd4167fd4fe8\" 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\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a06c6fb6-8f2c-11f1-9bcb-1d8116e1aa38\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Remember when it seemed like Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Achilles heel could be high temperatures? His latest performances through the Pyrenees during the heat wave of the Tour&#8217;s first week are just the latest proof that&#8217;s not the case. But on the other hand, this time round, even the sun-parched roads of France could pale into comparison with the unbearably hot, humid weather likely to afflict the Vuelta in the eastern regions of Spain in the second week, and the drier but equally harsh temperatures in the third.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Only once since it began in 1935 has the Vuelta finished so far south, and this is the first time since it moved into its late summer slot. In a year where record-breaking hot summer temperatures and four heat waves have already hit southern Spain \u2013 last week it was in the low-to-mid forties \u2013 this could take a brutal toll on the peloton. And if Poga\u010dar is able to handle the high temperatures much better than before, nobody will be immune to the consequences of racing through the hottest part of the day for three weeks, much of it through what is historically Spain&#8217;s warmest region.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"5-the-second-grand-tour-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">5. The second Grand Tour<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b4411388-8f32-11f1-93ac-2dfc8068453e\" 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\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a06c7088-8f2c-11f1-84dd-9b5b07f23d9d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As one of the greatest racers of all time \u2013 we&#8217;ll get into that debate on another occasion \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s sole venture into Grand Tour doubles back in 2024 hardly went badly. So why should 2026, with the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a on paper much easier than the Tour, be any different than when the UAE leader conquered the Giro d&#8217;Italia and Tour in one fell swoop back in 2024.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Most likely it won&#8217;t be hugely different this time round. But at the same time, the final week of the Vuelta has so many challenges and the hardest of all comes just 24 hours before the grand finale. So it will be critical for Poga\u010dar to graduate his effort as carefully as possible, and the same goes for his teammates. <\/p>\n<p>Even if the World Championships and Il Lombardia, not to mention the Europeans on home soil, are all yet to come, no leader of the Vuelta can be 100% sure their strength will hold up on such a tough final major mountain stage at the end of their second Grand Tour. Maybe not even Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-47137ee4-8f2e-11f1-a030-d150512f8ce2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><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><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-Nj8LhPz8dLoWZYbTB6B3ZW\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-Nj8LhPz8dLoWZYbTB6B3ZW 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\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.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\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/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>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/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\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar confirmed for first return to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a since 2019 Grand Tour 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\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-320-80.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;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<\/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\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-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;Let&#8217;s go one by one&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar wants to fill the gaps in his palmar\u00e8s, but which races are left to conquer?<\/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\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-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\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/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\/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\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-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\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar win a sixth Tour de France? &#8211; What can we expect from the 2027 Grand Boucle<\/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 Racing<\/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\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-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\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Gravel World Series: Simon Pellaud and Natalia Franco solo to wins at high-elevation Bogot\u00e1 Gravel<\/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\/8cZgjmwfhaTVzqDKtVadBZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8cZgjmwfhaTVzqDKtVadBZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8cZgjmwfhaTVzqDKtVadBZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8cZgjmwfhaTVzqDKtVadBZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8cZgjmwfhaTVzqDKtVadBZ-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\">Tour de Pologne: Jonathan Milan powers to victory in stage 1 bunch sprint<\/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\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-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\">Charlie Aldridge and Sina Frei add XCO mountain bike title to tally at European championships<\/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\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-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\">Gravel Earth Series: Marjolein van\u2019t Geloof and Rait Arm win Lithuania&#8217;s Megre Gravel<\/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\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-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;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/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\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-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;Sitting in the wheels could be a bit boring&#8217; \u2013 C\u00e9lia Gery on the attack as FDJ United-Suez balance yellow goals and opportunism at Tour de France Femmes<\/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 Features<\/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\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-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\">Five years in, this Tour de France Femmes looks like it will be the best edition yet<\/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\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-320-80.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\">Riders from Canada, Cuba, Mexico and USA among 13 North Americans in the 2026 Tour de France Femmes<\/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\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-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\">&#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<\/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\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-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\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">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<\/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\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-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\">Helmets<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Design UAE Team Emirates-XRG\u2019s next helmet and you could win a trip to the 2027 UAE Tour<\/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\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-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\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar win a sixth Tour de France? &#8211; What can we expect from the 2027 Grand Boucle<\/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\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-720-80.png.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-640-80.png.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-320-80.png.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>UCI Gravel World Series: Simon Pellaud and Natalia Franco solo to wins at high-elevation Bogot\u00e1 Gravel<\/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 Pologne: Jonathan Milan powers to victory in stage 1 bunch sprint<\/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>Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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>&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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>Tour de France Femmes stage 3 LIVE: Lorena Wiebes dropped as attacks shake-up the racing<\/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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/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=\"2026-08-03T12:29:14Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Slovenian returns to the race that kickstarted Grand Tour career back in 2019<\/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\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-320-80.jpg.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\">Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2019: Tadej Poga\u010dar celebrates third overall<\/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\">2<\/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-a06c6dcc-8f2c-11f1-8656-81478744a4e0\">Monday&#8217;s announcement that Tadej Poga\u010dar will be racing the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a this August for the first time in seven years surprised virtually nobody.<\/p>\n<p>For one thing, there were the rumours that the UAE Team Emirates-XRG racer had been spotted doing recons of the Vuelta&#8217;s ultra-hard final week whilst at altitude camp in Granada and for another, the certainty that his 2026 race program was deliberately designed to have a much less demanding first half of the season.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a06c6dcc-8f2c-11f1-8656-81478744a4e0-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What mattered the most, though, was that Poga\u010dar&#8217;s form and, crucially, morale were seemingly much better in week 3 of the 2026 Tour de France than they were in 2025, making it ever more likely that psychologically speaking he would be motivated to race two Grand Tours in a single year. And as the team has pointed out on many occasions, at this point in his career where he&#8217;s conquered so much already, as important as race condition is, keeping Poga\u010dar&#8217;s motivation high is where a large part of the battle to keep him keen and competitive is lost and won.<\/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\">On top of that, a race start in his adopted European residence of Monaco and a route which \u2013 at least in the first half \u2013 suits him down to the ground all made completing his Grand Tour &#8216;set&#8217; in 2026 an ideal option. You could also argue that from a historical perspective, winning all three Grand Tours in the same year that he already equalled the all-time record for victories in the Tour de France and very likely will do the same in the World Championships underlines that whatever he achieves in cycling in 2027 and beyond is Poga\u010dar&#8217;s and Poga\u010dar&#8217;s alone.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Yet is it really a done deal that Poga\u010dar will win the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? By this point in his career and given his Grand Tour track record, anything but the Slovenian clinching the final victory in Granada on September 13 feels hard to conceive. However, it&#8217;s worth remembering Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s seemingly certain victory in the 2025 Vuelta was a closer-run affair than he&#8217;d have liked after falling ill in the second week, and on the toughest climb of all, the Angliru, arch-rival Jo\u00e3o Almeida was able to beat the Dane.<\/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\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar confirmed for first return to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a since 2019 Grand Tour debut<\/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\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-150-80.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;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<\/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\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-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;Let&#8217;s go one by one&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar wants to fill the gaps in his palmar\u00e8s, but which races are left to conquer?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s fans will point out, rightly, that the Slovenian has operated at a level above Vingegaard throughout the 2024 and 2025 Tours, their last two direct duels. And before Vingegaard crashed out of the 2026 race, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader was already all but out of reach on GC again. However, the Vuelta&#8217;s reputation for surprises and ambushes, not to mention last-minute plot twists, is just as justified as the Giro d&#8217;Italia&#8217;s. Poga\u010dar&#8217;s race to the only Grand Tour title still missing in his palmares could well have plenty of obstacles \u2013 and here are five of them.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"1-andorra-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">1. Andorra<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b4411176-8f32-11f1-ab51-5178fc3d4682\" 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\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-878d0536-8f2d-11f1-91cd-e94c240a6fd1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are plenty of reasons for thinking that Andorra on stage 4 of the Vuelta will likely be the crunch point of the whole race. One of the five hardest mountain stages of the 2026 race and the first major challenge of the race, nearly 3,000 metres of vertical climbing are packed into just over 100 kilometres. And it just so happens, too, that the final ascent of the Cornell\u00e1 was the same one where Chris Froome, the last rider to do the Tour-Vuelta double, was able to distance all his rivals and make a healthy down payment on overall victory.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Nj8LhPz8dLoWZYbTB6B3ZW\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Nj8LhPz8dLoWZYbTB6B3ZW 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\">Just like the Tourmalet in the 2026 Tour&#8217;s stage 6, Andorra is where Poga\u010dar could or should make his first major move towards victory. Delivering a knock-out blow as soon as the mountains come into view in a Grand Tour has been his winning strategy ever since Poga\u010dar began his bounce-back from the 2023 Tour de France defeat. And on top of that, Andorra was where he won his first stage in the Vuelta (and any Grand Tour) back in 2019. More than enough reasons for Poga\u010dar to try to bring things full circle here in 2026.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"2-primoz-roglic-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">2. Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b44111f8-8f32-11f1-b236-bdc92489a0b6\" 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\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-878d061c-8f2d-11f1-85db-471bb78f63fb\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even if Tadej Poga\u010dar does claim the outright Vuelta victory in seven weeks time in Granada, there&#8217;s one title and record that won&#8217;t fall his way.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Together with Spanish climber Roberto Heras, Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d currently holds the joint record for Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a victories and could take a historic fifth title this year. But in terms of the Vuelta, Rogli\u010d is already in a league of his own.<\/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\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-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\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/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\/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-[#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\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-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\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar win a sixth Tour de France? &#8211; What can we expect from the 2027 Grand Boucle<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">No disrespect intended to Heras, but if stage wins, time in the race lead and his third place in the 2023 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a are also taken into account, for all he has fewer top five finishes than Heras, the Slovenian veteran can easily be considered the greatest ever Vuelta rider in history.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">At 36, he may be in the twilight years of his career, but that depth of experience already makes him a formidable rival for Poga\u010dar. Other elements, like Rogli\u010d&#8217;s only Grand Tour of 2026 being the Vuelta, making him much fresher, could also come into play, particularly in the third week where Poga\u010dar might \u2013 might \u2013 be feeling the length of the season in his legs.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The opposition doesn&#8217;t stop at Rogli\u010d, of course. Four-times podium finisher Enric Mas (Movistar), backed by 2016 Vuelta winner Nairo Quintana, could well be a factor, as could Giro runner-up Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM), who is clearly yet to find an upper limit to his Grand Tour climbing. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) and Netcompany Ineos duo Carlos Rodr\u00edguez and Oscar Onley also all have the potential to make a GC bid. But in terms of race history, if Poga\u010dar starts as the man to beat \u2013 and where doesn&#8217;t he? \u2013 it&#8217;s Rogli\u010d who&#8217;ll be riding down the Monaco start ramp on the evening of August 22 as the Vuelta&#8217;s initial reference point.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"3-the-ultra-tough-second-half-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">3. The ultra-tough second half<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b4411270-8f32-11f1-9f21-cfcb81c3bfa6\" 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\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-badcdd2c-8f2c-11f1-a3ed-27e3c9f3cbc2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">One of the questions we&#8217;ll never know is \u2013 would Poga\u010dar have opted to race the Vuelta in 2026 if it had finished in the Canary Islands, as was originally planned for this year&#8217;s race? Either way, the organisation&#8217;s switching to a full-blown final ten days in the sierras of Andalucia as an alternative will represent a major challenge for Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Four very varied major challenges are on offer here: the grinding, sunbaked ascent to the remote lunar landscapes of Calar Alto on stage 12 and its equally formidable penultimate, parched ascent of the Velefique, the brutally narrow, steep climb to La Pandera on stage 15, the devastatingly long rise through the southern sierras to Pe\u00f1as Blancas on stage 19 and the knock-out grand finale at Collado del Alguacil on stage 20. Add in a major time trial at the beginning of the third week, and no wonder race director Javier Guill\u00e9n describes the Vuelta 2026 as the hardest he&#8217;s ever overseen.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"4-the-extreme-heat-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">4. The extreme heat <\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b4411306-8f32-11f1-bee7-cd4167fd4fe8\" 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\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a06c6fb6-8f2c-11f1-9bcb-1d8116e1aa38\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Remember when it seemed like Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Achilles heel could be high temperatures? His latest performances through the Pyrenees during the heat wave of the Tour&#8217;s first week are just the latest proof that&#8217;s not the case. But on the other hand, this time round, even the sun-parched roads of France could pale into comparison with the unbearably hot, humid weather likely to afflict the Vuelta in the eastern regions of Spain in the second week, and the drier but equally harsh temperatures in the third.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Only once since it began in 1935 has the Vuelta finished so far south, and this is the first time since it moved into its late summer slot. In a year where record-breaking hot summer temperatures and four heat waves have already hit southern Spain \u2013 last week it was in the low-to-mid forties \u2013 this could take a brutal toll on the peloton. And if Poga\u010dar is able to handle the high temperatures much better than before, nobody will be immune to the consequences of racing through the hottest part of the day for three weeks, much of it through what is historically Spain&#8217;s warmest region.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"5-the-second-grand-tour-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">5. The second Grand Tour<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b4411388-8f32-11f1-93ac-2dfc8068453e\" 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\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a06c7088-8f2c-11f1-84dd-9b5b07f23d9d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As one of the greatest racers of all time \u2013 we&#8217;ll get into that debate on another occasion \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s sole venture into Grand Tour doubles back in 2024 hardly went badly. So why should 2026, with the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a on paper much easier than the Tour, be any different than when the UAE leader conquered the Giro d&#8217;Italia and Tour in one fell swoop back in 2024.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Most likely it won&#8217;t be hugely different this time round. But at the same time, the final week of the Vuelta has so many challenges and the hardest of all comes just 24 hours before the grand finale. So it will be critical for Poga\u010dar to graduate his effort as carefully as possible, and the same goes for his teammates. <\/p>\n<p>Even if the World Championships and Il Lombardia, not to mention the Europeans on home soil, are all yet to come, no leader of the Vuelta can be 100% sure their strength will hold up on such a tough final major mountain stage at the end of their second Grand Tour. Maybe not even Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-47137ee4-8f2e-11f1-a030-d150512f8ce2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><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><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-Nj8LhPz8dLoWZYbTB6B3ZW\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-Nj8LhPz8dLoWZYbTB6B3ZW 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\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.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\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/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>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/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\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar confirmed for first return to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a since 2019 Grand Tour 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\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-320-80.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;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<\/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\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-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;Let&#8217;s go one by one&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar wants to fill the gaps in his palmar\u00e8s, but which races are left to conquer?<\/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\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-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\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/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\/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\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-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\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar win a sixth Tour de France? &#8211; What can we expect from the 2027 Grand Boucle<\/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 Racing<\/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\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-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\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Gravel World Series: Simon Pellaud and Natalia Franco solo to wins at high-elevation Bogot\u00e1 Gravel<\/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\/8cZgjmwfhaTVzqDKtVadBZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8cZgjmwfhaTVzqDKtVadBZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8cZgjmwfhaTVzqDKtVadBZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8cZgjmwfhaTVzqDKtVadBZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8cZgjmwfhaTVzqDKtVadBZ-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\">Tour de Pologne: Jonathan Milan powers to victory in stage 1 bunch sprint<\/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\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gJ2AKDvZVJJxStmNoxozVd-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\">Charlie Aldridge and Sina Frei add XCO mountain bike title to tally at European championships<\/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\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/awCErCFkbGk3oTJxgKtfaA-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\">Gravel Earth Series: Marjolein van\u2019t Geloof and Rait Arm win Lithuania&#8217;s Megre Gravel<\/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\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSKG5iZEceWtT8mUiSBgZT-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;Less stressful, less sickness, less injury&#8217; \u2013 A year on from disastrous Tour de France Femmes debut Australia&#8217;s Lucie Fityus embraces new role at Picnic-PostNL<\/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\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mHuQh5dcyHXGYFsx28sM2R-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;Sitting in the wheels could be a bit boring&#8217; \u2013 C\u00e9lia Gery on the attack as FDJ United-Suez balance yellow goals and opportunism at Tour de France Femmes<\/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 Features<\/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\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ePxGEBDAcx43r8MiDvwGvn-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\">Five years in, this Tour de France Femmes looks like it will be the best edition yet<\/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\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnpMiA23HXwhj3osep5Ur4-320-80.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\">Riders from Canada, Cuba, Mexico and USA among 13 North Americans in the 2026 Tour de France Femmes<\/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\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LwGNhVYdXrv3dnnhovVZoi-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\">&#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<\/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\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8p6Mc4zX9wMKoj4au5g4qe-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\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">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<\/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\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZJahVPMvGwMj9NetKqDxAN-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\">Helmets<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Design UAE Team Emirates-XRG\u2019s next helmet and you could win a trip to the 2027 UAE Tour<\/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\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-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\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar win a sixth Tour de France? &#8211; What can we expect from the 2027 Grand Boucle<\/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\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-720-80.png.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-640-80.png.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-320-80.png.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>UCI Gravel World Series: Simon Pellaud and Natalia Franco solo to wins at high-elevation Bogot\u00e1 Gravel<\/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 Pologne: Jonathan Milan powers to victory in stage 1 bunch sprint<\/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>Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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>&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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>Tour de France Femmes stage 3 LIVE: Lorena Wiebes dropped as attacks shake-up the racing<\/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<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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVuelta a Espa\u00f1a\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Unstoppable? The five biggest challenges that Tadej Poga\u010dar will face at this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/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=\"2026-08-03T12:29:14Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Slovenian returns to the race that kickstarted Grand Tour career back in 2019<\/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 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\">2<\/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-a06c6dcc-8f2c-11f1-8656-81478744a4e0\">Monday&#8217;s announcement that Tadej Poga\u010dar will be racing the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a this August for the first time in seven years surprised virtually nobody.<\/p>\n<p>For one thing, there were the rumours that the UAE Team Emirates-XRG racer had been spotted doing recons of the Vuelta&#8217;s ultra-hard final week whilst at altitude camp in Granada and for another, the certainty that his 2026 race program was deliberately designed to have a much less demanding first half of the season.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a06c6dcc-8f2c-11f1-8656-81478744a4e0-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What mattered the most, though, was that Poga\u010dar&#8217;s form and, crucially, morale were seemingly much better in week 3 of the 2026 Tour de France than they were in 2025, making it ever more likely that psychologically speaking he would be motivated to race two Grand Tours in a single year. And as the team has pointed out on many occasions, at this point in his career where he&#8217;s conquered so much already, as important as race condition is, keeping Poga\u010dar&#8217;s motivation high is where a large part of the battle to keep him keen and competitive is lost and won.<\/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\">On top of that, a race start in his adopted European residence of Monaco and a route which \u2013 at least in the first half \u2013 suits him down to the ground all made completing his Grand Tour &#8216;set&#8217; in 2026 an ideal option. You could also argue that from a historical perspective, winning all three Grand Tours in the same year that he already equalled the all-time record for victories in the Tour de France and very likely will do the same in the World Championships underlines that whatever he achieves in cycling in 2027 and beyond is Poga\u010dar&#8217;s and Poga\u010dar&#8217;s alone.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Yet is it really a done deal that Poga\u010dar will win the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? By this point in his career and given his Grand Tour track record, anything but the Slovenian clinching the final victory in Granada on September 13 feels hard to conceive. However, it&#8217;s worth remembering Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s seemingly certain victory in the 2025 Vuelta was a closer-run affair than he&#8217;d have liked after falling ill in the second week, and on the toughest climb of all, the Angliru, arch-rival Jo\u00e3o Almeida was able to beat the Dane.<\/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\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uxQp5fRzS4VxGsyfPN95CJ-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar confirmed for first return to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a since 2019 Grand Tour debut<\/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\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9aKuFwnmwjqsdAucGVxeU3-150-80.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;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<\/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\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CbxpbneafR6STQnwKHYfmM-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;Let&#8217;s go one by one&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar wants to fill the gaps in his palmar\u00e8s, but which races are left to conquer?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s fans will point out, rightly, that the Slovenian has operated at a level above Vingegaard throughout the 2024 and 2025 Tours, their last two direct duels. And before Vingegaard crashed out of the 2026 race, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader was already all but out of reach on GC again. However, the Vuelta&#8217;s reputation for surprises and ambushes, not to mention last-minute plot twists, is just as justified as the Giro d&#8217;Italia&#8217;s. Poga\u010dar&#8217;s race to the only Grand Tour title still missing in his palmares could well have plenty of obstacles \u2013 and here are five of them.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"1-andorra-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">1. Andorra<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b4411176-8f32-11f1-ab51-5178fc3d4682\" 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\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BE6iDChpp2TCPZ9HXJrtiL-237-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-878d0536-8f2d-11f1-91cd-e94c240a6fd1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are plenty of reasons for thinking that Andorra on stage 4 of the Vuelta will likely be the crunch point of the whole race. One of the five hardest mountain stages of the 2026 race and the first major challenge of the race, nearly 3,000 metres of vertical climbing are packed into just over 100 kilometres. And it just so happens, too, that the final ascent of the Cornell\u00e1 was the same one where Chris Froome, the last rider to do the Tour-Vuelta double, was able to distance all his rivals and make a healthy down payment on overall victory.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Nj8LhPz8dLoWZYbTB6B3ZW\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Nj8LhPz8dLoWZYbTB6B3ZW 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\">Just like the Tourmalet in the 2026 Tour&#8217;s stage 6, Andorra is where Poga\u010dar could or should make his first major move towards victory. Delivering a knock-out blow as soon as the mountains come into view in a Grand Tour has been his winning strategy ever since Poga\u010dar began his bounce-back from the 2023 Tour de France defeat. And on top of that, Andorra was where he won his first stage in the Vuelta (and any Grand Tour) back in 2019. More than enough reasons for Poga\u010dar to try to bring things full circle here in 2026.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"2-primoz-roglic-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">2. Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b44111f8-8f32-11f1-b236-bdc92489a0b6\" 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\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kmpuQBb72XVTBgNnvngb8Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-878d061c-8f2d-11f1-85db-471bb78f63fb\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even if Tadej Poga\u010dar does claim the outright Vuelta victory in seven weeks time in Granada, there&#8217;s one title and record that won&#8217;t fall his way.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Together with Spanish climber Roberto Heras, Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d currently holds the joint record for Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a victories and could take a historic fifth title this year. But in terms of the Vuelta, Rogli\u010d is already in a league of his own.<\/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\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-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\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/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\/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-[#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\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jYQwNfFJ6KcW6PUrza45Ck-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\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar win a sixth Tour de France? &#8211; What can we expect from the 2027 Grand Boucle<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">No disrespect intended to Heras, but if stage wins, time in the race lead and his third place in the 2023 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a are also taken into account, for all he has fewer top five finishes than Heras, the Slovenian veteran can easily be considered the greatest ever Vuelta rider in history.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">At 36, he may be in the twilight years of his career, but that depth of experience already makes him a formidable rival for Poga\u010dar. Other elements, like Rogli\u010d&#8217;s only Grand Tour of 2026 being the Vuelta, making him much fresher, could also come into play, particularly in the third week where Poga\u010dar might \u2013 might \u2013 be feeling the length of the season in his legs.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The opposition doesn&#8217;t stop at Rogli\u010d, of course. Four-times podium finisher Enric Mas (Movistar), backed by 2016 Vuelta winner Nairo Quintana, could well be a factor, as could Giro runner-up Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM), who is clearly yet to find an upper limit to his Grand Tour climbing. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) and Netcompany Ineos duo Carlos Rodr\u00edguez and Oscar Onley also all have the potential to make a GC bid. But in terms of race history, if Poga\u010dar starts as the man to beat \u2013 and where doesn&#8217;t he? \u2013 it&#8217;s Rogli\u010d who&#8217;ll be riding down the Monaco start ramp on the evening of August 22 as the Vuelta&#8217;s initial reference point.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"3-the-ultra-tough-second-half-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">3. The ultra-tough second half<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b4411270-8f32-11f1-9f21-cfcb81c3bfa6\" 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\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JmZk6ZZ7ovVUEy7JrBCiP7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-badcdd2c-8f2c-11f1-a3ed-27e3c9f3cbc2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">One of the questions we&#8217;ll never know is \u2013 would Poga\u010dar have opted to race the Vuelta in 2026 if it had finished in the Canary Islands, as was originally planned for this year&#8217;s race? Either way, the organisation&#8217;s switching to a full-blown final ten days in the sierras of Andalucia as an alternative will represent a major challenge for Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Four very varied major challenges are on offer here: the grinding, sunbaked ascent to the remote lunar landscapes of Calar Alto on stage 12 and its equally formidable penultimate, parched ascent of the Velefique, the brutally narrow, steep climb to La Pandera on stage 15, the devastatingly long rise through the southern sierras to Pe\u00f1as Blancas on stage 19 and the knock-out grand finale at Collado del Alguacil on stage 20. Add in a major time trial at the beginning of the third week, and no wonder race director Javier Guill\u00e9n describes the Vuelta 2026 as the hardest he&#8217;s ever overseen.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"4-the-extreme-heat-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">4. The extreme heat <\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b4411306-8f32-11f1-bee7-cd4167fd4fe8\" 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\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a06c6fb6-8f2c-11f1-9bcb-1d8116e1aa38\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Remember when it seemed like Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Achilles heel could be high temperatures? His latest performances through the Pyrenees during the heat wave of the Tour&#8217;s first week are just the latest proof that&#8217;s not the case. But on the other hand, this time round, even the sun-parched roads of France could pale into comparison with the unbearably hot, humid weather likely to afflict the Vuelta in the eastern regions of Spain in the second week, and the drier but equally harsh temperatures in the third.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Only once since it began in 1935 has the Vuelta finished so far south, and this is the first time since it moved into its late summer slot. In a year where record-breaking hot summer temperatures and four heat waves have already hit southern Spain \u2013 last week it was in the low-to-mid forties \u2013 this could take a brutal toll on the peloton. And if Poga\u010dar is able to handle the high temperatures much better than before, nobody will be immune to the consequences of racing through the hottest part of the day for three weeks, much of it through what is historically Spain&#8217;s warmest region.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"5-the-second-grand-tour-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">5. The second Grand Tour<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b4411388-8f32-11f1-93ac-2dfc8068453e\" 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\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2PZpQGoV8GJwgnQ4f3q58V-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a06c7088-8f2c-11f1-84dd-9b5b07f23d9d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As one of the greatest racers of all time \u2013 we&#8217;ll get into that debate on another occasion \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s sole venture into Grand Tour doubles back in 2024 hardly went badly. So why should 2026, with the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a on paper much easier than the Tour, be any different than when the UAE leader conquered the Giro d&#8217;Italia and Tour in one fell swoop back in 2024.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Most likely it won&#8217;t be hugely different this time round. But at the same time, the final week of the Vuelta has so many challenges and the hardest of all comes just 24 hours before the grand finale. So it will be critical for Poga\u010dar to graduate his effort as carefully as possible, and the same goes for his teammates. <\/p>\n<p>Even if the World Championships and Il Lombardia, not to mention the Europeans on home soil, are all yet to come, no leader of the Vuelta can be 100% sure their strength will hold up on such a tough final major mountain stage at the end of their second Grand Tour. Maybe not even Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-47137ee4-8f2e-11f1-a030-d150512f8ce2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><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><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/unstoppable-the-five-biggest-challenges-that-tadej-pogacar-will-face-at-this-years-vuelta-a-espana\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2fmbtXZ2fEd6EkmEtQgkd3-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE Team Emirates meet to discuss and decide on targeting Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2 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 3 &#8216;Even the biggest champions don&#8217;t last forever&#8217; \u2013 [&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-2075300","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\/2075300","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=2075300"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2075300\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2075300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2075300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2075300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}