Tadej Pogacar won the opening individual time trial of the Vuelta a Espana in Monaco, beating Britain's Ethan Hayter by 0.09 seconds to take the leader's red jersey, with Joshua Tarling third.
Key facts
- Tadej Pogacar won stage one of the Vuelta a Espana, an individual time trial in Monaco.
- The 9.4km course was completed by Pogacar just 0.09 seconds faster than Britain's Ethan Hayter.
- Joshua Tarling finished third, a week after the death of his brother Finlay.
- Pogacar takes the leader's red jersey and is the overwhelming favourite for the race.
- Pogacar is aiming to complete a career Grand Tour treble.
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 Espana on Saturday, according to the Guardian.
The Tour de France champion completed the 9.4km ride in Monaco just 0.09 seconds faster than Britain’s Ethan Hayter of Soudal Quick-Step, underlining the fine margins that decided the opening stage.
Pogacar, described by the Guardian as the overwhelming favourite for the race, laid down an early marker in his bid to complete a career Grand Tour treble.
Britain’s Joshua Tarling finished third on the stage. The result came a week after the death of his brother, Finlay.
With the win, Pogacar takes the red jersey as the race leader heading into the coming stages of the three-week Grand Tour.
The narrow margin over Hayter suggests a competitive opening to the Vuelta, with British riders featuring prominently among the fastest times in Monaco.
Why it matters
The Vuelta a Espana is one of cycling's three Grand Tours, and Pogacar's push for a career treble makes this edition a headline event. A winning margin of less than a tenth of a second shows how tight the competition is at the very top of the sport.
Frequently asked questions
Who won stage one of the Vuelta a Espana?
Tadej Pogacar won the opening individual time trial in Monaco, taking the leader's red jersey.
How close was the finish?
Pogacar completed the 9.4km time trial just 0.09 seconds faster than Britain's Ethan Hayter.
Where did the British riders finish?
Ethan Hayter of Soudal Quick-Step was second and Joshua Tarling was third, the latter a week after the death of his brother Finlay.