Tadej Pogačar's Shock Decision: Why He's Skipping Vuelta a Espana for World Championships
This is the year when Tadej Pogačar made a tremendous comeback – if that’s the right word to use for a person born in 1998 with two Tour titles under his belt. Having won the 2024 Giro and Tour, Tadej has been in the spotlight for the last two weeks. Everybody was wondering whether this Slovenian Sportsman of the Year 2023 would take part in the Vuelta race.
The second best in the focus was Jonas Vingegaard, the year-after-year Tour de France winner in 2022 and 2023. Even cycling pundits and online betting platforms, from traditional websites to offshore sportsbooks, started offering their odds regarding their appearance and potential positions, as well as free sign-up and extra bonuses for newcomers.
The answer provided by both these remarkable athletes is: No. Neither Tadej nor Jonas will take part in this year’s Vuelta. Having won his third Tour de France this year, Pogačar has decided not to cycle through Spain and Portugal. In addition to physical exhaustion, he has also expressed his desire to make room for other teammates from his UAE Team Emirates. Apart from that, Tadej wants to fully prepare for the Road World Championships, held this September in Zurich. Although he won three individual stages at the Vuelta in 2019, he still hasn’t won the general classification, i.e., the overall standings Given his age, there will be numerous opportunities for this miraculous cyclist to conquer the Vuelta in the time ahead.
Jonas Vingegaard, on the other hand, has addressed utter exhaustion as the main reason for skipping this year’s Vuelta. Clearly disappointed after the Tour de France and affected by a string of consecutive injuries in the first half of the year, Vingegaard wants to give his body some time to rest and recover. The same goes for his participation in the ongoing Summer Olympics in Paris. There’s a chance he will appear at the Road World Championships and compete against Pogačar. If these two legends appear wheel to wheel in the streets of Zurich, cycling fans and spectators will be delighted.
A Rare Decision
Tadej Pogačar has firmly established himself as one of the most talented and versatile cyclists of all time. With three Tour de France victories and a dominant Giro victory already under his belt, the Slovenian rider has proven his prowess on various terrains and in different race formats.
But for the first time in his career, Pogacar has turned up on an opportunity to create history. Pogacar has decided to not race the Vuelta a Espana, in favour of prioritising winning his first rainbow jersey at the World Championships.
Yes, winning the rainbow jersey after securing a Giro and Tour this year would be an historical achievement. But, no one has ever won all three grand tours in the same season. For once, Pogacar has walked away from making history.
This choice isn't just about personal glory but also about his legacy and the broader dynamics of professional cycling. So, let’s delve into why Pogačar has chosen to prioritize the World Championships this year.
The Prestige of the Rainbow Jersey
The Road World Championships offer a unique prestige that is different from a Grand Tour victory. Wearing the rainbow jersey for an entire year is an honour that few cyclists experience. It is a symbol of excellence recognized across all disciplines of cycling. For Pogačar, winning the World Championships would not only diversify his list of achievements but also enhance his reputation as a versatile rider capable of excelling in one-day races as well as stage races.
Perhaps Pogacar has witnessed the likes of Remco Evenepoel, and Mathieu Van der Poel, write their names into the history books with the rainbow jersey, and wants to taste this glory himself.
Course Suitability
The course of the Road World Championships often varies, but it typically features a mix of challenging climbs, technical descents, and flat sections. The 2024 course in Zurich is no different, and it is a terrain that suits Pogačar’s all-rounder capabilities. Given his strength in climbing and his improved time-trialling, Pogačar could potentially dominate a course designed to test a wide range of skills.
Moreover, the one-day format of the World Championships offers a different type of challenge compared to the sustained efforts required in a Grand Tour, allowing Pogačar to showcase his cycling IQ and explosive power in a different setting. As seen at Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Strade Bianche earlier this year, Pogačar has the beating of the classics specialists on punchy courses.
The Weight of Legacy
Winning the World Championships has a historical and symbolic impact that transcends even the most prestigious Grand Tours. The rainbow jersey is a global symbol of cycling excellence. For Pogačar, a victory here would place him among the elite cyclists who have managed to achieve success across various formats of the sport. It would also position him as a rider who can adapt to and conquer any race, further solidifying his legacy.
But perhaps there’s another element. Pogacar may believe, or know, that he can win the Vuelta. His main rivals won’t be there, and quite frankly he’s a class above the field in 2024. But, at a one day road race, like the World Championships, anything can happen. Remco Evenepoel’s Olympic performance may have been the one performance this year that would have concerned Pogacar, and the likes of Van der Poel and Van Aert may fancy their chances on the shorter climbs. This lack of certainty may be what motivates Pogacar after such a dominant year to date.
Balancing Peak Performance and Recovery
One of the most significant challenges in professional cycling is timing peak performance. The demands of peaking for a three-week Grand Tour are vastly different from those of a one-day World Championship race. Focusing on the Vuelta would require Pogačar to maintain peak condition over an extended period, having already completed six weeks of Grand Tour racing this year.
On the other hand, the World Championships demand a perfectly timed peak for a single day. Given Pogačar’s young age and resilience, he has the potential to excel in both, but balancing these peaks is a delicate task.
Cycling is a sport that takes a considerable toll on the body, and managing recovery is crucial for a long and successful career. Choosing to focus on the Vuelta might mean enduring another gruelling three-week race, which could impact his performance later in the season or in the following year. On the other hand, the World Championships, while intense, is a one-day effort, potentially allowing for a more measured approach to recovery and future race planning.
Team Dynamics and Personal Ambition
Ultimately, Pogačar’s decision will likely come down to a combination of personal ambition and team strategy. UAE Team Emirates will have weighed the benefits of another potential Grand Tour win against the prestige of a World Championship title. Pogačar himself will have considered his long-term career goals, his physical condition, and his desire to leave a lasting legacy in the sport.
There’s also the consideration that UAE Team Emirates have a number of young riders with personal goals aside from supporting Pogačar. João Almeida went under the radar at the Tour de France, and was undoubtedly the best rider outside the top 3. Both he and Juan Ayuso have finished on Grand Tour podiums before, and will not always be content to sacrifice themselves for Pogačar. Pogacar will not want to suffocate his Tour de France ‘super team,’ and will therefore want to give some freedom for likes of Adam Yates, Almedia and Ayuso to strive for their own personal glory.
A Momentous Decision
Tadej Pogačar’s decision to prioritize the Road World Championships over the Vuelta a España is a testament to his exceptional talent and the high stakes of professional cycling. The World Championships offer a chance to achieve a prestigious and historic victory, complementing his Grand Tour successes and enhancing his legacy as a truly versatile cyclist.
The prestige of the World Championships, coupled with the historical significance of the rainbow jersey, offers a unique and lasting impact. That being said, I feel we won’t have to wait too long to see Pogacar crush his opponents in the iconic red jersey of the Vuelta. The question is, will he return in 2025 for another attempt at winning all three Grand Tours in a single season?
