'Tadej Pogačar's triumphant Tour de France win marks an exceptional year for him, leaving him uncertain about his next cycling competition'
After a successful fourth Tour de France win, Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar has announced that he will not be participating in the 2025 Vuelta a España. Instead, he plans to take a well-deserved break and return to competition in the Canadian one-day races, the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and Montréal, in mid-September. This decision comes ahead of the World Championships in Rwanda[1][2][4][5].
UAE Team Emirates, Pogacar's team, has confirmed the decision, emphasizing the need for recovery after a demanding season. Pogacar himself has fond memories of the Vuelta from his 2019 participation but stated that his body requires rest now. The Vuelta remains the only Grand Tour he has not won, having finished third in 2019[1][2].
Following the Canadian races and the World Championships, Pogacar's schedule may include potential participation in the European Championships. However, he will forgo most Italian classics except Il Lombardia[4]. During his absence, the team leaders for the Vuelta will be João Almeida and Juan Ayuso[2].
The final day's stage in Paris of the Tour de France is a punchy affair with climbs of Montmartre. Pogacar, who is currently in contention for a fourth Tour de France victory, might be taking a break after the Tour de France, according to his statements. The Tour de France has changed Pogacar's initial plan to participate in both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana[6].
The Vuelta a Espana, set to start in Turin on 23 August, includes a trip to Italy. Pogacar has not won the Tour de France's final stage on the Champs-Elysees in yellow, and there is a chance for him to do so in this year's final stage. However, the final stage of the Tour de France is not a usual procession, despite being the final stage[7].
Meanwhile, Pogacar's rival, Jonas Vingegaard, found Stage 20 difficult due to the weather conditions. Pogacar, despite finding the stage challenging, enjoyed it due to his good shape and legs. Interestingly, Pogacar's sports director, Marco Marcato, has hinted at the possibility of Pogacar participating in the Vuelta a Espana, if the conditions are right and his legs are good[3]. Winning on the Champs-Elysees in yellow is something special, and there might be a chance for Pogacar if the conditions are right.
Pogacar is aiming to tick off the Vuelta a Espana on his list of races to win. However, for now, his focus is on recovery and rest after a gruelling Tour de France season. The Slovenian cyclist has expressed feeling tired after the Tour de France but is looking forward to the challenges ahead in the Canadian races and the World Championships.
[1] Tour de France: Tadej Pogacar to skip Vuelta a España after fourth Tour de France win
[2] UAE Team Emirates: Tadej Pogacar to skip Vuelta a España after Tour de France win
[3] Tadej Pogacar's sports director hints at Vuelta a España participation
[4] Tadej Pogacar's post-Tour de France plans: Worlds, European Champs, and a possible Vuelta
[5] Tadej Pogacar to skip Vuelta a España, focus on World Championships
[6] Tadej Pogacar's Tour de France victory changes his plans for the Vuelta a España
[7] Tour de France: The final stage in Paris is a punchy affair with climbs of Montmartre
Despite announcing his decision to skip the 2025 Vuelta a España, Tadej Pogacar's sports director, Marco Marcato, has hinted at the possibility of Pogacar participating in the Vuelta, if the conditions are right and his legs are good. However, for now, Tadej Pogacar's focus is on recovery and rest after a grueling Tour de France season, and he plans to compete in the Canadian one-day races, the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and Montréal, in mid-September, followed by the World Championships.
