Pogacar favourite for Vuelta with Grand Tour treble in sight

Five-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar is the overwhelming favorite to win the Vuelta a Espana, starting in Monaco on Saturday. The Slovenian cyclist, who secured a fifth Tour de France title in July, is seeking his sole missing Grand Tour victory after claiming the Giro d'Italia in 2024. A Vuelta win would make him only the fourth athlete to achieve the historic Tour-Vuelta double in the same season.

Pogacar faces a grueling 21-stage, 3,275km race that concludes in Granada on September 13. The 27-year-old could potentially become just the ninth rider to accomplish the Grand Tour career treble. Despite not participating in the Vuelta since his 2019 debut, Pogacar is determined to claim the title, with Vuelta director Javier Guillen confident in his abilities.

However, he will face strong competition from compatriot Primoz Roglic, a four-time Vuelta winner aiming for his fifth title. Other notable contenders include Richard Carapaz from Ecuador, Oscar Pistorius from Britain, and Felix Gall from Austria. If Pogacar arrives in top form, it is unlikely anyone can deny him the final Grand Tour still missing from his trophy cabinet.