Tadej Pogacar wins Vuelta a España opening stage time trial

Tadej Pogacar stormed to victory in the individual time trial to claim the leader’s red jersey after the first stage of the Vuelta a España on Saturday.

The overwhelming favourite, aiming to complete a career Grand Tour treble, completed the 9.4km ride just 0.09 seconds faster than Britain’s Ethan Hayter.

Joshua Tarling finished third, four seconds behind the top two, to complete the podium a week after his younger brother, Finlay, died in a road accident while racing in the Tour of Portugal.

Pogacar clocked 10min 57sec for the short and technical course through the streets of Monaco, where he now lives, in the opening stage of the 81st edition of the Vuelta. Pogacar, who won the Tour de France for the fifth time last month and triumphed in the Giro d’Italia in 2024, is expected to finish in the red jersey in Granada on 13 September.

“It’s a weird feeling to win the time trial on the first stage and by such a small margin,” said Pogacar. “I was not expecting it. I’m really happy. This red is a really nice colour.”

The Slovenian said home advantage was the key to his victory. “That 0.09 happened when I passed my apartment because that was the most technical part, and I walk and cycle there every day.”

Pogacar said he had been hoping Tarling could win the stage after his brother’s death. “When I was going to the start line I saw that Josh had the best time. I was really wishing he would win today. I was going to give my best, but it was a strange moment, I was really rooting for Josh as well.

“Then I came to the intermediate point and I hear a different name. I hear Ethan Hayter is in front of me by three seconds. So I thought: I will give it everything, but no risks – I’ll see what happens.”

A Vuelta victory would make Pogacar the fourth rider to complete the Tour-Vuelta double in the same season, while only eight riders have won all three Grand Tours. His compatriot, Primoz Roglic, is chasing a record-equalling fifth Vuelta victory, but came in 24th.

Tarling (Netcompany Ineos) had been among the leading contenders for the opening stage, on a route designed to favour specialists, and moved into the lead before Hayter (Soudal Quick-Step) and Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) usurped him.

The race continues on Sunday with a gruelling 214.3km stage from Monaco to Manosque in France. Monday’s stage runs 174km from Gruissan-Aude to Font Romeu in southern France, with stage four taking place in Andorra before the race returns to Spain.