Roglič and Pogačar Return to the Vuelta Where Slovenia’s Cycling Story Began

The organisers’ biggest wish comes true: Pogačar is heading to the Vuelta

The organisers of the Vuelta a España expect interest in the race to rise significantly with Tadej Pogačar on the start list. It will be his first appearance at the race since 2019, when Vuelta was also the first Grand Tour of his career. Since then, he has become a five-time Tour de France winner, Giro d’Italia champion, two-time world champion and European champion, as well as a serial winner of cycling’s Monuments and major Classics.

In 2026, the STB is placing particular emphasis on cycling tourism as Slovenia prepares to host the European Road Cycling Championships and continues its cooperation with the ambassadors of Slovenian tourism, Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič. During the Vuelta, the STB will highlight cycling experiences available throughout Slovenia all year round across its digital channels, while also joining in the excitement surrounding the Slovenian riders.

Slovenia and the I feel Slovenia brand will also be promoted through TV advertising on Eurosport, as part of a campaign covering the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, Tour of Slovenia and Vuelta a España.

Seven years since they first shared a Grand Tour podium

The Vuelta holds a special place in the history of Slovenian cycling. In 2009, Borut Božič won Stage 6 to become the first Slovenian rider to claim a stage victory at one of cycling’s three Grand Tours.

Ten years later, in 2019, the Vuelta became the race where Primož Roglič and Tadej Pogačar first stood together on a Grand Tour podium. Slovenia also appeared for the first time among the countries to have produced a Grand Tour winner. Roglič claimed his first overall Vuelta victory, while Pogačar finished third in his first-ever Grand Tour.

With that victory, Roglič became the first Slovenian to win a Grand Tour overall. He has since collected five Grand Tour titles – four at the Vuelta and one at the Giro d’Italia. Together, Roglič and Pogačar have already delivered 11 overall Grand Tour victories for Slovenia. Pogačar has won the Tour de France five times and the Giro d’Italia once, with the Vuelta remaining the one Grand Tour missing from his collection.

Pogačar won three mountain stages on his Vuelta debut

At just 20 years of age, Tadej Pogačar entered the 2019 Vuelta as the first Grand Tour of his professional career. Slovenia was gripped by the race, particularly during its final days. The country had never before celebrated an overall Grand Tour winner, although Primož Roglič had already given Slovenian fans plenty of reason to believe that a new chapter in the country’s cycling history was being written.

When the final mountain stage confirmed that two Slovenian riders would stand on the podium of one of cycling’s three biggest races, Slovenia’s cycling fairytale truly began. Since then, it has produced a remarkable series of achievements, many of them beyond anything fans could have imagined, with Roglič and Pogačar at the heart of the story.

Slovenian colours set to feature prominently at the Vuelta once again

The Vuelta’s red leader’s jersey has become a familiar sight in Roglič’s trophy collection. Alongside his four overall victories, he has also won the green jersey and recorded 15 individual stage wins as well as one team stage victory.

Pogačar, returning to the Vuelta this year after seven years, won three stages on his debut in 2019 and also claimed the white jersey as the race’s best young rider.

Alongside Pogačar and Roglič, several other Slovenian riders are set to compete at this year’s Vuelta: Gal Glivar of Alpecin-Premier Tech, reigning Slovenian road race champion Roman Ermakov, Jakob Omrzel and Matevž Govekar of Bahrain Victorious, and Domen Novak of UAE Team Emirates-XRG.

Countdown to the European Cycling Championships in Slovenia

This autumn will be particularly important for Slovenian cycling, as Slovenia hosts Europe’s leading riders from 2 to 7 October as they compete for the continental titles. Alongside the world’s leading cyclist Tadej Pogačar, Primož Roglič, Remco Evenepoel and other top international riders are also expected to take part in the European Road Cycling Championships.

Back to news