Tadej Pogačar’s agent Alex Carera indicated that a return to the Vuelta a España in 2027 is more likely than a start at the Giro d’Italia, citing “unfinished business” after the rider crashed out while leading the race on stage 8 in August.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- Pogačar’s potential 2027 calendar elevates the Vuelta while casting doubt on his early-season UCI WorldTour fixture volume.
- Fantasy cycling managers must monitor the December training camp in the United Arab Emirates, where the team will finalize a demanding back-loaded schedule.
- The tight turnaround between the World Championships in Haute-Savoie and the Vuelta start alters Grand Tour fatigue models and multi-stage draft strategies.
Unfinished Business in Spain Following August Crash
The high-speed crash on stage 8 in August brought a sudden halt to Pogačar’s campaign, leaving him with fractures to his collarbone and neck alongside a concussion. Carera noted on the RAI programme RadioCorsa that the rider holds unresolved ambitions for the Spanish Grand Tour. “Tadej clearly has unfinished business with the Vuelta, and he doesn’t like having unfinished business,” Carera stated.
Vuelta a España stage 4: Tadej Pogačar crushes rivals and kills race for red with 50km mountain solo. Pogačar all but ends the race for red jesey as chase for podium lights up behind: https://t.co/PlTh8aQ8nJ pic.twitter.com/NQkOXX4Ke7
While the route for the Giro d’Italia is scheduled for announcement on November 3—with the Grande Partenza in Trieste expected to venture into Slovenia—Carera suggested the Vuelta takes priority. Pogačar previously claimed the pink jersey in 2024. Speaking earlier this month at a charity golf event in Slovenia, Pogačar acknowledged his preferences, admitting, “Even though I’d rather ride the Giro, I’ll have to tick off the Vuelta at some point too.”
| Event / Target | Timeline | Key Constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Giro d’Italia Route Reveal | November 3 | Grande Partenza in Trieste |
| UCI World Championships | August 29, 2027 | Hosted in Haute-Savoie, France |
| Vuelta a España Start | September 4, 2027 | Six-day recovery window from Worlds |
Decisions Await in December UAE Training Camp
Official confirmation regarding Pogačar’s racing schedule remains pending until the team’s media day during a collective training period in the United Arab Emirates in December. Pogačar will sit down with general director Mauro Gianetti and technical director Joxean Matxin Fernandez to lock in the 2027 blueprint. Carera emphasized that this meeting dictates the final program, though the agent’s current prediction favors Spain over Italy.
The 2027 calendar introduces severe logistical friction for multi-objective riders. The men’s road race at the Worlds is on August 29, leaving Pogačar six days between chasing the rainbow jersey and the first stage of the Vuelta, which starts in Galicia on September 4. The Spanish race was moved back to accommodate the early ‘super’ Worlds in Haute-Savoie, creating a tightly compressed late-season block.
Tour de France Route and the ‘Anti-Pogačar’ Discussion
Beyond the Grand Tour selection, Pogačar is slated to target a record sixth yellow jersey at the Tour de France. Organizers revealed the Tour route in Paris on October 22, featuring a pair of 30km-plus time trials that prompted paddock discussions regarding whether the parcours favors rival Remco Evenepoel.
Carera dismissed the notion of an intentionally hostile route. “I don’t know if you can call the TDF ‘anti-Pogačar’,” Carera said. “If every rider interviewed gets asked about Pogačar, if organizers are changing their routes to make things interesting against Tadej, and if sponsors keep referring to him, it means he matters enormously to cycling.”
Early-season appearances also remain fluid. Tour Down Under race director Stuart O’Grady stated last week that he is doing everything possible to secure Pogačar for a start in Australia in January—a move that would mark his first appearance down under since his WorldTour debut seven years ago and a departure from his usual March or mid-February UAE Tour starts.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
