It was never much of a secret, but UAE Team Emirates – XRG has not exactly tried to keep Tadej Pogačar’s 2025 schedule under wraps. Most cycling fans already expected him to compete in the Vuelta a España, and now a new report confirms that the decision had already been made within the team.
Journalist Ciro Scognamiglio of ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’ reported, “It wasn’t a secret at all. UAE Team Emirates – XRG sources have confirmed to us that after the Tour de France, Pogačar will line up for the Vuelta a España, six years after his first and only participation.” This means that in 2025, fans will once again witness an epic rivalry between Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, as they will go head-to-head in two of the three Grand Tours the Tour de France and La Vuelta.
For Pogačar, this decision makes perfect sense. After completing the Giro d’Italia – Tour de France double in 2024, focusing only on the Tour in 2025 seemed too modest. Coming off one of the greatest individual seasons in cycling history, the world champion is now aiming for the only Grand Tour title missing from his collection. Given his incredible form, there is little reason to delay his return to the Spanish race.
Pogačar’s only previous appearance at La Vuelta was in 2019 when, as a rising star, he finished third behind Primož Roglič and Alejandro Valverde, winning three stages in the process. That race was his Grand Tour debut, and now, six years later, he is returning as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
As for whether he will debut at Paris-Roubaix this year, speculation remains mixed. Pogačar has yet to take on the “Hell of the North,” one of the few major races missing from his palmarès. A final decision is expected around March 22, when he competes at Milano-Sanremo.
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