2026 Vuelta a Espana: Tadej Pogacar confirms return to event after seven-year absence - 'Time is right to go back'
Updated 03/08/2026 at 11:56 GMT+1
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UAE Team Emirates-XRG have revealed that Tadej Pogacar will compete in the 2026 Vuelta a Espana. The 27-year-old has not taken part in the event since 2019, when he finished third and claimed the white jersey.
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Pogacar recently entered the record books by winning the Tour de France for a fifth time.
Speaking about his return to La Vuelta, Pogacar said: ”I’m excited to say I’m going back to La Vuelta.
”It was my first ever Grand Tour back in 2019 and an amazing experience. Spain is a country I love to visit and race in and I think the time is right to go back.
”The motivation is high to finish off the year in a good way and the Vuelta will be a big target. The team is strong and we hope to do good things.”
Pogacar will lead an eight-rider squad when the 2026 Vuelta a Espana gets underway on August 22.
Joao Almeida, Jay Vine, Pavel Sivakov, Pablo Torres, Kevin Vermaerke, Domen Novak and Ivo Oliveira will also be in action at the event, which will reach its climax on September 13.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG enjoyed a successful Tour de France this summer, and they will be hoping for more glory across the 21 stages of the Vuelta.
However, they will face a tough test on a difficult circuit which will see the riders compete across seven summit finishes.
Pogacar will make more history if he storms to victory at the Vuelta. A win would see him win all three Grand Tours in the same year, having also triumphed at the Giro d'Italia in May.
The cycling icon won three stages during his appearance at the Vuelta in 2019.
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The event is the latest addition to a packed schedule for Pogacar heading into the second half of 2026.
He is also expected to take part in the World Road Race Championships in September.
Jonas Vingegaard won the 2025 edition of the Vuelta, but he looks set to miss this year's event after his crash during Stage 15 of the Tour de France.
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