La Vuelta 2026 ***Spoilers***

[wakemalcolm]

Turns out that all Canary Islands finale bets are off for fear that someone might take offence that a team not called Israel in any way might be construed as being an Israeli team.

With Madrid having already shrugged its shoulders of the event by organising a car race for that weekend, it's looking like an Andalusian end to the GT year.

 

[wakemalcolm]

More of a linea than a Vuelta.

Expect the narrative to switch from why are they starting in the playground of the rich to why is it so freaking hot?

 

[Adam4868]

More of a linea than a Vuelta.

Expect the narrative to switch from why are they starting in the playground of the rich to why I'd it so freaking hot?

Froomey can pop home for his lunch....

 

[wakemalcolm]

Any chance of Pog v Jonas '26 part 2?

I'm surprised at the Pog talk given that his usual preference for Canada at this time of year is bolstered by the World Championships being held there (which is on another Poggable course).

Suspect Jonas will just pack it for the year.

 

[Pross]

Any chance of Pog v Jonas '26 part 2?

I'm surprised at the Pog talk given that his usual preference for Canada at this time of year is bolstered by the World Championships being held there (which is on another Poggable course).

Suspect Jonas will just pack it for the year.

Jonas has done 4 GTs back to back so even if he recovers I can’t see him starting the Vuelta.

 

[wakemalcolm]

Jonas has done 4 GTs back to back so even if he recovers I can’t see him starting the Vuelta.

With the start list I'm seeing, I wouldn't rule out a Roglififthcation. Thin gruel might make for competitive racing though.

 

[rich p]

I'm totally flabbergasted about how comfortable Remco looked. I didn't have him matching del Torro and outclimbing Lipowitz, Seixas et al.
I wonder if the testers will knock on hus door at 3am now 🫢 😁
Kudos.

 

[TakeTheHighRoad]

Do you think we'll have to wait for a sprinters World Championship before Pog choose to do the Vuelta?

 

[wakemalcolm]

It's a super worlds next year which happens between the Tour and the Vuelta, so this might allow him a free hit in Spain (or encourage him to pack early for the year).

2028 is a sprinter's course.

 

[phreak]

Not many have won 3 Worlds, and another win at Lombardia would put him ahead of everyone there. Winning Lombardia would also be the first time anyone has won 4 monuments in a year. That's probably more important than winning the Vuelta?

 

[wakemalcolm]

Not many have won 3 Worlds, and another win at Lombardia would put him ahead of everyone there. Winning Lombardia would also be the first time anyone has won 4 monuments in a year. That's probably more important than winning the Vuelta?

I can see your point: who wouldn't want to be compared to Oscar Freire, however, I'm having a baked sweet potato for lunch and that's more important to me than winning the Vuelta.

 

[Dogtrousers]

With the start list I'm seeing, I wouldn't rule out a Roglififthcation. Thin gruel might make for competitive racing though.

If neither of Jonas or Pog starts we can all stop moaning "Pog and Jonas winning everything is boring." Instead we can start moaning that the weakened field is boring and devalues the Vuelta.

 

[phreak]

I can see your point: who wouldn't want to be compared to Oscar Freire, however, I'm having a baked sweet potato for lunch and that's more important to me than running the Vuelta.

One step closer to having 4 though, which no one has.

 

[T4tomo]

One step closer to having 4 though, which no one has.

4 baked sweet potatoes in one sitting would be glutony

 

[Blazing Saddles]

In terms of Grand Tours, Jonas now has something that Pog doesn’t have.
Just sayin’.