Johan Bruyneel has claimed Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) deliberately held back during the final week of his victorious 2026 Tour de France while already considering his Vuelta a España campaign.
Speaking on The Move on August 16, Bruyneel said his information came from a former UAE staff member who remains in contact with people working at the team.
Bruyneel said he had been told that Pogačar was “never, never going full gas” during the Tour’s final week. “He was basically, you know, trying to nurse Del Toro to the podium and already thinking about the Vuelta,” he added.
Pogačar still won the Tour by 6:26 over Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), while Del Toro finished third at 9:42. UAE had openly identified the Mexican’s podium place as an objective, provided it did not compromise the yellow jersey.
During the Tour, team manager Mauro Gianetti said Del Toro could pursue third place “without putting the yellow jersey in difficulty”. Nils Politt also described placing two UAE riders on the final podium as an ambition, as covered in our report on the team’s conditions for Del Toro.
Pogačar targets his missing Grand Tour
UAE confirmed Pogačar’s Vuelta selection on August 3, which would give him a chance to win all three of cycling’s Grand Tours. The Vuelta remains the only one he has not won, following his victories in France and Italy.
“I’m excited to say I’m going back to La Vuelta,” Pogačar said in the team announcement. “It was my first ever Grand Tour back in 2019 and an amazing experience.”
Bruyneel interpreted the decision as evidence that Pogačar is interested in completing the set. “I think it’s a huge announcement,” he said. “It shows that he absolutely wants to have those three Grand Tours in the pocket.”
He also questioned the idea that records and statistics do not motivate Pogačar. “Personally, I don’t believe that 100%,” Bruyneel said. “I think he’s checking off the list.”
Pogačar’s first Vuelta appearance since 2019 begins with an individual time trial in Monaco. The route covers almost 3,300km and includes seven summit finishes plus another individual time trial before concluding in Granada on September 13.
Bruyneel cautioned that another Grand Tour would still carry a cost after the Tour. “The Vuelta is three weeks, and it’s not easy even if you’re Tadej Pogačar,” he said. “It’s wearing you out. It’s going to be hot.”
Pogačar is also due to defend his world title later in the season, adding another demand to the final part of his campaign.
Cover image credit: Charly Lopez
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