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Tadej Pogacar wins the opening stage of the Vuelta a España in Monaco

In the individual time trial in Monaco, Tadej Pogacar secures the first victory of the Vuelta a España by a narrow margin.

23 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Tadej Pogacar wins the opening stage of the Vuelta a España in Monaco — Archive photoPhoto: Petar Milošević · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tadej Pogacar won the opening stage of the 81st Vuelta a España in an individual time trial in Monaco on Saturday. The Slovenian cyclist edged out Briton Ethan Hayter by just nine hundredths of a second. This achievement secured Pogacar the first overall win and the first red jersey of the race.

The outcome was decided after an exciting race over 9.4 kilometers, where Pogacar started as the favorite. His speed and technique in the time trial proved crucial in securing the top spot. The victory is an important milestone in Pogacar's career.

Josh Tarling, another competitor who recently lost his 19-year-old brother, finished in third place and had the support of many spectators. This emotional situation may have helped him push for a stronger performance.

Pogacar, who has already won several major cycling events, is on track to showcase a similar dominance in the overall standings of the Vuelta. His ambitions for victory are clear, and he is aiming for a potential start-to-finish win.

Multiple outlets, including Der Tagesspiegel and The Guardian, reported on Pogacar's perfect start to the stage race. It was emphasized that he could take control of the race if he maintains the gaps until Granada.

The venue, Monaco, has previously hosted cycling events such as the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, continuously drawing attention. The start of the Vuelta again highlights the high level of international cycling.

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