Vingegaard Seizes Opportunity at Vuelta Without Pogacar

Jonas Vingegaard aims to reclaim his status as a Grand Tour champion as he begins the Vuelta a España this Saturday. With his last victory dating back to the 2023 Tour de France, Vingegaard is determined to break a two-year drought amidst challenges that include a serious crash and internal competition within his team, Visma–Lease a Bike. His chances are bolstered by the absence of Tadej Pogacar, who is currently taking a break after his impressive fourth Tour de France win.

Pogacar, last seen in a cycling jersey with messages reading “Do Not Disturb” and “No Photography,” has been supporting his partner, Urska Zigart, in the recent Tour de Romandie Féminin. Recently, the 26-year-old Slovenian expressed his thoughts on retirement, stating, “I’m already counting down to retirement. I began winning early, so I know there can also be seasons with fewer results.” Despite this, he indicated he would likely participate in future Tours de France.

Vingegaard’s pathway to victory at the Vuelta will not be easy, especially with the presence of riders from the UAE Emirates team. Notable competitors include Juan Ayuso and João Almeida, both of whom bring formidable skills to the race. Ayuso, at just 22 years old, possesses the potential to clinch a Grand Tour title, although he has yet to fulfill that promise. Almeida, who crashed out of the Tour de France, also excels in shorter stage races but may struggle over the full three weeks of the Vuelta.

The race will also attract other strong contenders like British cyclist Tom Pidcock. Pidcock views the Vuelta’s combination of steep climbs and technical sprints as an opportunity to enhance his season. After previously focusing on shorter races, Pidcock is now curious about his potential in the general classification. He stated, “I’m eager to see what I can do in the general classification,” reflecting a shift in his mindset.

The Ineos Grenadiers team, led by Egan Bernal, hopes to capitalize on their previous success, having won two stages in July’s Tour de France. Bernal, the 2019 Tour de France winner, will need to adopt a more strategic approach than he did in May’s Giro, where he finished seventh overall. The team is still navigating a transitional phase, especially after missing out on acquiring Remco Evenepoel, the Olympic road and time trial champion who will join Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe next season.

As the Vuelta kicks off, it begins with a series of stages zigzagging from Turin to Novara and then across to France, before finally reaching Spain. The race includes a team time trial, an individual time trial, and six summit finishes, featuring challenging climbs like Angliru and the notorious Bola del Mundo.

For Vingegaard, the absence of Pogacar presents a pivotal opportunity to shine. With the race’s most decisive moments expected to occur in the steepest mountains, it will be crucial for the Danish cyclist to leverage his strengths and seize this chance to solidify his position as a leading contender in Grand Tour cycling.