Tadej Pogacar continues his quest to redefine cycling as he prepares for the Vuelta a Espana, marking his return to the event for the first time since 2019. Fresh off a record-equalling fifth Tour de France victory, where he prioritized teammate Isaac del Toro, Pogacar's debut at the Vuelta set the stage for his dominance in the sport.

In 2019, Pogacar made a name for himself with three stage wins, the best young rider’s jersey, and an overall third place. Now, seven years later, he stands on the brink of winning his seventh grand tour title. Only a miracle from another rider or severe misfortune could prevent him from adding the Vuelta to his impressive resume, potentially joining an elite group of riders who have won all three grand tours.

Key points regarding his upcoming participation include:

• Pogacar's return comes a year after Jonas Vingegaard claimed his first maillot rojo.
• The current start list lacks formidable competitors, with Mattias Skjelmose, Felix Gall, and Primoz Roglic being notable but not on Pogacar's level.
• The Vuelta course suits Pogacar, who has maintained light training after the Tour, ensuring he retains form.

As Pogacar aims for a third consecutive rainbow jersey at the World Championships and a second European title, his targeted racing calendar emphasizes his versatility. While he continues to dominate both grand tours and one-day races, other teams express concern over his overwhelming presence in the sport.

Pogacar's ambition to achieve unprecedented feats, such as winning all three grand tours in the same year, positions him on a trajectory to become the greatest cyclist of all time, redefining the boundaries of the sport.