It took only a few hours to dispel doubts about Tadej Pogacar's competitive future: no Vuelta. Curiously, UAE Emirates XRG chose not to announce the world champion's decision, but did so through... alternative channels, officially announcing the formation that will line up in Turin, which will be led by Joao Almeida and Juan Ayuso.

Almeida will be the leader of the Emirati formation and will be accompanied in a co-leadership role by Spaniard Juan Ayuso, a choice that will offer the team various strategic options during the three-week race. Supporting them will be a complete and experienced team, including Mikkel Bjerg, Felix Großschartner, Domen Novak, Ivo Oliveira, Marc Soler and Jay Vine.

These are the words of João Almeida: "It's a special feeling to start the Vuelta as team leader, especially with the form I've shown this season. My recovery from the Tour injury was smooth and my training sensations have improved. I hope to continue progressing in the coming weeks and be close to my best level at the start of the Vuelta. We have a strong group and I believe we can fight for something big".

Ayuso returns to the Grand Tour at home withalready a podium in his palmares conquered in 2022 and will assume a co-leader role. "The Vuelta is a very special race for me, my home race. I have intensified my training, I feel good and I am 100% focused on having a good race. It is always an honor to race on home roads and I will give everything to show it. Spain always brings something extra out of me".

For his part, Matxin Fernández, Sports Director of the team, adds: "We approach the Vuelta España with a clear plan, built around João and Juan. Both are valid general classification candidates and complement each other. The team surrounding them brings depth and experience, which will be crucial in the mountains and time trials. This year the idea was for Tadej to return to the Vuelta, but the season has been long for him. We discussed it and agreed that the best thing for him now is to take a good rest and focus on his final season goals".

Meanwhile Tadej Pogačar, fresh from his remarkable fourth victory at the Tour de France, will take a well-deserved break before returning to competition in North America. The Slovenian will be the leader of the UAE Team Emirates-XRG at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal in September, skipping the Vuelta in favor of a more careful preparation for the end-of-season Classics. "After such a demanding Tour, we decided it was better to take a break. The Vuelta is obviously a race I would love to return to. I have fantastic memories from 2019, but now my body tells me to rest. I can't wait to return to Canada; the races are tough but beautiful and suit my style well. My goal is to return to racing well for that part of the season and especially for the World Championships".