Today starts the Vuelta, the cannibal Pogacar without rival wants other records: will run for the show or thinking of the World Cup?

The 2026 Vuelta a España begins Saturday with Tadej Pogacar aiming to cement his status as one of cycling’s greatest all-time riders. The Slovenian, who last competed in the race seven years ago, returns as the overwhelming favorite in a grueling 21-stage tour spanning 3,275 kilometers and featuring 58,156 meters of elevation gain. With seven mountain finishes, two time trials, and a mix of medium-mountain and flat stages, the route presents both challenges and opportunities for Pogacar, who seeks to complete the Triple Crown by winning the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and Vuelta in his career. Pogacar, now the dominant force in world cycling, has already secured victories in the Giro and Tour this year. If he wins the Vuelta, he would join an exclusive group of nine cyclists to have completed the Triple Crown, following in the footsteps of Jonas Vingegaard, who achieved the feat just months earlier at the Giro. Additionally, Pogacar could enter another elite circle, those who win both the Tour and Vuelta in the same season. Only three cyclists have accomplished this: Jacques Anquetil in 1963, Bernard Hinault in 1978, and Chris Froome in 2017. Pogacar appears well-positioned to join them, assuming injuries or other setbacks do not intervene. Despite his dominance, Pogacar faces few direct rivals in this edition of the Vuelta. The strongest contenders include Felix Gall, who finished second in this year's Giro, Mattias Skjelmose, sixth at the Tour, Richard Carapaz, Oscar Onley, favored for the young rider classification, Tobias Johannesen, and Primoz Roglic, a four-time Vuelta winner but currently experiencing a decline due to age. João Almeida, a Portuguese cyclist who had a difficult season, is also in contention, riding as Pogacar’s domestique but possessing the talent to challenge for the podium. One key question is whether Pogacar will support Almeida similarly to how he aided Isaac Del Toro during the Tour, potentially balancing his ambitions with preparations for the World Championships in September. Pogacar’s strategy may involve competing for multiple jerseys, including the overall leader’s red jersey, the climbers’ classification, and the points classification. The latter could see intense competition, particularly with Mads Pedersen and Wout Aerts, both of whom are well-suited to the Vuelta’s challenging terrain and have expressed intent to compete for the points jersey. Their tendency to break away in pursuit of points adds unpredictability to the race, making it potentially more exciting than ever. Italian cyclists face an uphill battle in this year’s Vuelta, with only nine representatives participating. Among them, Lorenzo Fortunato and Filippo Zana stand out as potential performers, possibly excelling in mountain stages through breakaways. However, the presence of Pogacar and other top-tier riders makes it difficult for Italian cyclists to shine, despite their efforts. The Vuelta’s route includes several high-profile mountain stages, which will test the endurance and climbing abilities of the peloton. Two time trials offer opportunities for specialists, while the varied stage profiles ensure that different types of riders can find success. The inclusion of multiple mountain finishes means that the general classification could shift dramatically depending on performance in these critical stages. As the race gets underway, attention will focus on Pogacar’s ability to maintain his dominance while managing his workload ahead of the World Championships. His approach, whether he prioritizes victory in the Vuelta or conserves energy for the Worlds, will shape the narrative of the race and determine his legacy in the sport.