Tadej Pogacar has confirmed that he will take part in the Vuelta a España scheduled for late August 2026, and as a result he will not be present at the Quebec and Montreal Grand Prix cycling events.
The Slovenian rider first entered the international spotlight when he captured the Vuelta a España title in 2019. That victory marked a turning point in his career and established him as a leading figure in professional road racing.
In preparing for the 2026 edition of the Vuelta, Pogacar has indicated that his training and race programme will be centred on the Spanish Grand Tour. His decision to focus on the Vuelta comes as the race approaches in the latter part of August, a period that coincides with the dates of the Quebec and Montreal Grand Prix events.
The absence of Pogacar from the Canadian races means that organizers and competitors in Quebec and Montreal will proceed without the former champion in the field. Both events remain on the calendar, but the line‑up will lack the rider who won the Vuelta three years ago.
Pogacar’s choice reflects a strategic emphasis on the Vuelta a España, the race where he first achieved major success. By directing his efforts toward the late‑August Spanish tour, he aims to build on the momentum of his 2019 triumph and contend once again in one of cycling’s most prestigious three‑week races.
No further details have been released about his exact race schedule beyond the commitment to the Vuelta a España, and no additional comments have been provided regarding his plans for the remainder of the season.