Pogacar out to complete Grand Tour hat-trick with Vuelta win

Tadej Pogacar, the five-time Tour de France champion, is widely expected to claim victory in the Vuelta a Espana. This will be his first attempt at the iconic race, as he has not competed in the Spanish Grand Tour since his inaugural Vuelta debut in 2019. Pogacar, who finished third overall and claimed three stage wins during his first Vuelta, is now set to race in what could be the only Grand Tour missing from his trophy collection.

If successful, he would become just the fourth cyclist to achieve the historic Tour-Vuelta double within a single season. The 27-year-old Slovenian will face a formidable lineup of competitors, including his compatriot Primoz Roglic, who is seeking a record-extending fifth Vuelta title. Other notable contenders include Enric Mas, Richard Carapaz, Oscar Onley, Felix Gall, Sepp Kuss, Joao Almeida, Wout van Aert, and Mads Pedersen.

The grueling route, featuring six high-mountain stages, seven summit finishes, and around 58,000 meters of climbing, sets the stage for a challenging contest. Pogacar, known for his ability to create a show, should have ample opportunities to claim victory, especially with the race's mountainous terrain providing him with numerous chances to do so.