According to the Spanish AS, Tadej Pogacar will not participate in the Vuelta a España later this summer after all. During the first week of the Tour de France, Mauro Gianetti, team manager of UAE Emirates XRG, said that the Spanish Grand Tour was indeed on the Slovenian’s schedule. However, he also mentioned that an evaluation would take place after the Tour.
Pogacar will announce his program for the rest of the season on Wednesday, according to AS. At the press conference after securing his fourth overall win in the Tour de France, Pogacar already hinted that he would not take part in the Vuelta, which starts on August 23 in Turin, Italy. "Now I want to rest. I don’t have many clear goals. Maybe the World Championships and maybe Lombardia. I am enjoying the moment and will think about the next objectives," he said.
In Pogacar’s absence, Juan Ayuso will be allowed to ride the Vuelta, reports AS. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who has finished third and fourth in his home Grand Tour before, had earlier indicated that he would not ride the Vuelta despite wanting to. Now, he is reportedly set to start after all. Ayuso will be looking for redemption in the Vuelta after a disappointing Giro d'Italia, where he started as one of the top favorites but had to abandon at stage eighteen due to physical issues.
Ayuso will not be the only team leader for UAE Emirates in the Vuelta. João Almeida is also expected to make an appearance. The 26-year-old Portuguese rider has already won the Tour of the Basque Country, Tour of Romandie, and Tour de Suisse this year but broke his rib in the Tour de France. He is currently recovering from that injury.
