After securing his fifth Tour de France crown, Tadej Pogacar has announced plans to line up at this month's Vuelta a Espana in pursuit of a rare clean sweep of cycling's three Grand Tours.

The Slovenian UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider enters the event as the clear favorite following his record-equaling Tour success last month that placed him alongside legends Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.

Pogacar claimed the 2024 Giro d'Italia by nearly 10 minutes and would join just eight previous riders to complete the full Grand Tour set if he prevails in Spain.

The 27-year-old achieved a third-place finish at the Tour of Spain during his debut Grand Tour appearance in 2019.

"I am thrilled to confirm my return to La Vuelta," Pogacar stated. "It marked my first Grand Tour experience back in 2019 and proved unforgettable.

"Spain ranks among my favorite places to race and visit, and the timing feels perfect for another appearance.

"Motivation remains strong to end the season on a high note, making the Vuelta a key goal. Our squad looks formidable and we aim for strong results."

The 2025 edition starts in Monaco on 22 August and concludes in Granada on 13 September, featuring 21 stages with time trials, flat sprints, undulating terrain and major climbs.

Pogacar has collected nearly every major title, adding five Tour wins to three Tour of Flanders victories, one Milan-San Remo, two world championships, five Il Lombardia titles, four Liege-Bastogne-Liege wins and the Giro.

He also intends to defend his rainbow jersey at the Road World Championships in Montreal one week after the Vuelta ends.

Although La Vuelta holds World Tour status, many top riders today focus solely on the Tour de France and skip the Vuelta and Giro.

Merckx, Anquetil and Hinault (twice) each captured La Vuelta during their careers.

After his Tour triumph, Pogacar defeated Belgium's Remco Evenepoel by over six minutes and is projected to win the Vuelta by an even larger margin.

Known for powerful accelerations and consistent high tempo, he shows no signs of tiredness or decline.

Pogacar has taken six of seven World Tour events entered this season, with his lone setback a narrow second at Paris-Roubaix in April after a close sprint with Belgium's Wout van Aert.