Imagine a cycling calendar completely upended, with the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España swapping places. Sounds intriguing, right? Well, don't hold your breath. RCS Sport, the organizers of the Giro, have emphatically rejected this very idea proposed by none other than cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar. In a recent statement to Cyclingnews, RCS Sport CEO Paolo Bellino was crystal clear: 'We're not even going to think about the idea.'
This proposal, while seemingly radical, stems from Pogačar's dominance in the sport. The Slovenian phenom is on track to equal the record for most Tour de France victories in 2026, having already achieved the prestigious Giro-Tour double in 2024. However, his last appearance at the Vuelta dates back to 2019, where he showcased his Grand Tour potential with a third-place finish and three stage wins. But here's where it gets controversial: could a date swap between the Giro and Vuelta create a more balanced racing calendar, or would it disrupt the traditional rhythm of the season? And this is the part most people miss: the Giro's May slot, the Tour's July dominance, and the Vuelta's August-September position (moved from April in 1995) have become deeply ingrained in cycling culture. Changing this would be more than just a logistical challenge—it would alter the very fabric of the sport's annual narrative.
Is RCS Sport right to dismiss Pogačar's suggestion outright, or is there merit in exploring a calendar reshuffle? The debate is far from over, and we want to hear your thoughts. Could a date swap benefit riders, teams, and fans alike, or is tradition too sacred to tamper with? Let us know in the comments below!
