UAE Team Emirates-XRG has officially announced that Tadej Pogačar will not participate in the 2025 Vuelta a España. After winning his fourth Tour de France, the Slovenian champion will take a break, handing over the reins of the team to João Almeida and Juan Ayuso for the final Grand Tour of the season, which will start in Italy on August 23.

Pogačar's schedule now includes a break until September, when he will return to the saddle for the Canadian classics (GP Quebec and Montreal), before defending the rainbow jersey in Rwanda and attempting a fifth consecutive victory at the Giro di Lombardia.

"After such a challenging Tour, we decided it was best to take a break. The Vuelta is obviously a race I'd love to return to," Pogačar said in Tuesday's announcement.

I have fantastic memories of 2019, but now my body is telling me to rest. I'm excited to return to Canada; they're tough but exciting races, which suit my style well. I'm aiming to get back in shape for that part of the season and for the World Championships.

Despite the absence of their captain, UAE will still present one of the most competitive teams at the Vuelta. Almeida, forced to retire from the Tour after a crash in stage seven, and Ayuso, who prematurely abandoned the Giro, will share the lead against rivals such as Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).

"It's a special feeling to start the Vuelta as the leader, especially considering the form I've shown this season," commented Almeida, ready to seize this important opportunity.