"I don't know if it's even worth answering that question," was Tadej Pogačar's categorical reply when asked if he thought he could win the Vuelta a España without too much effort this August. "It's going to be a very tough race."
Speaking just hours before the race, which saw him emerge as a Grand Tour star in 2019 when he finished third overall, claimed three stages and the white jersey, Pogačar's keenly anticipated return to the Vuelta a España will now see him fight for the only three-week stage race still missing from his palmares.
