Pogacar edges Hayter by 0.09s in Monaco time trial to win Vuelta opener
Tadej Pogacar edged out Britain’s Ethan Hayter in a Monaco individual time trial on Saturday to win the opening stage of the Vuelta a España, prevailing by 0.09 seconds with Joshua Tarling third.
Pogacar completed the 9.4km course in 10min 57sec on the short, technical streets of Monaco — the city where he lives — to take the leader’s red jersey in the opening stage of the 81st edition of the Vuelta. The Slovenian, described in the report as the overwhelming favourite aiming to complete a career Grand Tour treble, won the Tour de France for the fifth time last month and the Giro d’Italia in 2024; he is expected to finish in the red jersey in Granada on 13 September.
Ethan Hayter (Soudal Quick-Step) finished 0.09 seconds behind Pogacar, with Joshua Tarling (Netcompany Ineos) four seconds adrift of the top two to complete the podium. Tarling’s result came a week after his younger brother, Finlay, died in a road accident while racing in the Tour of Portugal. The route was described as designed to favour specialists and Tarling had been among the leading contenders before Hayter and Pogacar moved ahead.
“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.”
“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 added, citing home advantage as a key factor in his victory on the Monaco streets.
“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.”
Primoz Roglic, who is chasing a record-equalling fifth Vuelta victory, finished 24th on the opening day. The race itinerary moves on Sunday to a 214.3km stage from Monaco to Manosque in France, followed on Monday by a 174km stage from Gruissan to Aude in southern France and stage four in Andorra before the race returns to Spain; a Vuelta victory would make Pogacar the fourth rider to complete the Tour-Vuelta double in the same season, and only eight riders have won all three Grand Tours.