Groves is aiming for a repeat of the Vuelta, but beware of Pogačar: "It'll be difficult; he could win."

It's well known that Tadej Pogačar dreams of the red jersey at the Vuelta a España , completing his collection of Grand Tour victories. But few expect the UAE Team Emirates-XRG phenomenon to also claim the green jersey in the points classification. Yet, according to Kaden Groves, this possibility cannot be ruled out.

The Australian sprinter, who won the green jersey at the Vuelta twice in the last three editions, is back this year chasing a hat trick. Speaking to Cyclingnews , the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider revealed an interesting tactical detail that every fantasy cycling fan should keep in mind: the positioning of the intermediate sprints on the 2026 route could, willy-nilly, favor the leading candidate for the overall title.

Groves is aiming to win at least one stage of the five flat—or at least not too bumpy—stages on this year's route, but he also has ambitions of wearing the green jersey in Granada on September 13. "A stage win would be fantastic for me, but we're also looking at the green jersey, even if it will be difficult," said the 27-year-old.

The reason for this caution? "Many of the intermediate sprints are placed towards the end of the stages, so it's something that Tadej [Pogačar] could also pick up on along the way."

According to Groves' own calculations, there should be around five sprint opportunities, "perhaps one more or less depending on the strength of the breakaway." The first real sprint event comes relatively late, with stage 5 finishing in Roquetes, not far from the Mediterranean coast: a detail that could prove a hidden advantage for the Australian, giving him time to regain his legs and rhythm.

It shouldn't be forgotten that 2026 was a difficult year for Groves, forced to withdraw from the Giro d'Italia—his first participation in the Giro d'Italia—as early as stage four due to a bad crash. The Australian is still chasing his first victory since last year's Tour de France, when he won in a spectacular solo breakaway in Pontarlier, just a day before the finish in Paris. "It's been an up-and-down year, but I wouldn't be here if I wasn't at a decent level, and stage 5 could be the first real opportunity for a sprint to find my form again," he explained.

The Vuelta remains a special race for Groves: it was here that he took his very first Grand Tour victory, at Cabo de Gata in 2022. Since then, he has gone on to claim six more Vuelta victories, two Giro stages, and that triumphant breakaway at the Tour. But that victory four years ago, on a scorching day on the Andalusian coast, remains indelible in the Australian's heart: "It was the same day we lost [then-teammate] Simon Yates to COVID-19," Groves recalled, "so it was a nice way to end a day that started off very badly."

Four years later, according to strong rumors, Groves could tackle what will be his last Grand Tour wearing the Alpecin-Premier Tech jersey—a news that hasn't yet been confirmed. Meanwhile, the Australian is confident about the team that will support him in this Vuelta: "The team is doing well. I have Sente [Sentjens] and Lindsay [De Vylder], it's their first Grand Tour, so it's a good opportunity for them too. Then we have experienced guys like Michael Gogl around them for the first part, and then we have support on the climbs with Hugo [Houle], Gal [Glivar], Francesco [Busatto], and Michael again. I think we have cards to play on several fronts."