Tadej Pogačar goes for the triple, mountain madness, Wout van Aert back on the big stage and more: five things to look out for at the Vuelta a España
The third Grand Tour of the year starts on Saturday and promises plenty of action
1. Tadej Pogačar is set to compete in the Vuelta a España for the first time since 2019, following his historic fifth Tour de France win. This presence will undoubtedly draw attention to the race, but fans should anticipate unpredictable outcomes given Pogačar's human vulnerabilities, including fatigue and susceptibility to illness and crashes.
2. While Tadej Pogačar commands the attention, the secondary General Classification battle features a diverse group of contenders. The likes of Primož Roglič, Oscar Onley, Richard Carapaz, and Felix Gall are all vying for podium positions. Onley, in particular, seeks to make up for his missed Tour de France selection due to injury, while Carapaz and Gall aim to secure podium finishes.
3. The Vuelta a España kicks off with a 9.4km time trial on the famous Monaco Grand Prix circuit. This challenge rewards skill over raw power and sets the stage for the Gran Partida, the race's first stage outside the host country. The route weaves through Monaco, Manosque, Gruissan, Font Romeo, and finally Spain on stage five, marking a significant departure from the typical progression.
4. The Sierra de la Pandera presents a steep climb for stage 14, with its consistently steep slopes. This challenging 11.8km, 7.2% gradient climb has been won by notable riders such as Rafał Majka and Richard Carapaz. As the last obstacle before the penultimate stage, the Pandera promises an intense test for riders, alongside other formidable mountain-top finishes such as the Collado del Alguacil.
5. Wout van Aert, the Paris-Roubaix champion, is eager to rectify his missed opportunities, including the crash that led to his retirement from the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpe. After a brief return to racing, van Aert secured three stage wins and the points classification at the 2.Pro Tour of Denmark. He has expressed interest in claiming the early leader's red jersey, though the overall General Classification is unlikely to be his primary focus.
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