Tadej Pogacar backed to race the Vuelta a Espana for first time in seven years - 'Perfectly compatible'
Published 17/07/2026 at 14:51 GMT+1
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Could we see Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) this year return to La Vuelta for the first time since 2019? Grand Tour legend Alberto Contador has expressed his desire to see it happen.
Pogacar plays down chances of being in mix for Stage 13 win
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The Slovenian, then aged 20, finished third after taking three stage wins and won the white jersey as the best young rider for his breakthrough performance.
Despite an impressive debut, Pogacar has not returned. Instead, he has remained focused on the Tour de France, where he has raced seven times and won four general classification titles.
Two years ago he added the Giro d'Italia to his resume, and Contador has told Eurosport Spain that he believes it is time for the 27-year-old to give the Vuelta another crack.
"I would understand him racing it given the limited number of days of competition he's had," he explained.
"They've been very intense - Strade Bianche, the Monuments, Romandie, Switzerland, and the Tour - but I think he could perfectly well do the Vuelta and then the World Championships.
"Especially since [the Vuelta is] a race he doesn't yet have in his palmares, and it's unlikely he'll have such a light racing schedule again.
"In his situation, I would do the Vuelta, the World Championships, and Lombardy. I think it's perfectly compatible; any given day of Tadej's home training load is more demanding than a stage in a Grand Tour."
Pogacar won the Tour de France last year, but it came at a cost, as the Slovenian was left mentally and physically exhausted.
So far at this year's race, Pogacar has won three stages and leads the general ranking.
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Contador has admitted that Pogacar's chances of riding the Vuelta will depend largely on how the Tour de France unfolds.
"UAE has to assess this, especially on a personal level," he said.
"Physically, he looks like he'll finish the Tour in perfect condition, but last year he finished with little desire to ride, a bit disillusioned.
"It will depend on how the Tour unfolds and everything else. When you wear the yellow jersey, especially for more than a year, you end up completely burned out."
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