Pogačar returns to the Spanish Vuelta in pursuit of a rare double and elusive treble

MADRID (AP) — Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar is returning to the Spanish Vuelta after a seven-year absence to pursue a Grand Tours hat trick of titles. “It was my first ever Grand Tour back in 2019 and an amazing experience,” Pogačar said. Unlike male riders including Hinault, Anquetil, Merckx and Jonas Vingegaard, however, Pogacar has not won the Spanish Vuelta for a hat trick of Grand Tours wins. The 27-year-old Pogačar won three stages when he finished third on his last and only appearance so far at the Vuelta. “Joining Pogačar are João Almeida, Jay Vine, Pavel Sivakov, Pablo Torres, Kevin Vermaerke, Domen Novak and Ivo Oliveira,” UAE Team Emirates-XRG said.