Pogačar’s Explosive Finish in Monaco

By Liam Tremblay — 22 August 2026 — 3 min read

Pogačar’s Explosive Finish in Monaco

Tadej Pogačar secured an explosive victory in the opening stage of the Spanish Vuelta, narrowly defeating British rider Ethan Hayter by 0.09 seconds in a time trial held in Monaco. Pogačar, who resides in Monaco, completed the 9.5-kilometre course in 10 minutes, 57 seconds.

Hayter had set a strong time earlier in the day and appeared poised for a win. However, Pogačar accelerated significantly in the final kilometres of the technical route, ultimately clinching his first Grand Tour stage win. This victory also marks the first time Pogačar has won an opening stage of a Grand Tour and taken the red jersey as the Vuelta leader.

Hayter’s Close Call and Other Noteworthy Performances

Despite his strong performance, Hayter expressed disappointment at missing out on what would have been his first Grand Tour stage win. He finished four seconds faster than his compatriot Josh Tarling. Tarling’s participation in the race comes just over a week after the death of his younger brother, Finlay Tarling, who was struck by a vehicle during the Volta a Portugal.

Other riders also delivered notable efforts. Callum Thornley, a young rider, set a new fastest time before being surpassed. Léo Bisiaux and Oscar Chamberlain, both from the Decathlon team, also posted impressive times, with Chamberlain making his Grand Tour debut. Stefan Küng, a Swiss rider, finished with the fourth-fastest time.

Vuelta Context and Rider Absences

Pogačar is competing in the Vuelta for the first time since his Grand Tour debut in 2019, where he finished third. This year, Pogačar has already won the Tour de France for the third consecutive time and fifth overall, equalling a record. He also secured victories at the Tour de Suisse and Tour de Romandie, alongside wins in one-day classics.

The Vuelta is the only Grand Tour race Pogačar has yet to win, placing him in contention to become one of only nine riders to achieve victories in all three Grand Tours. Other riders who have accomplished this feat include Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil, Alberto Contador, Chris Froome, Felice Gimondi, Vincenzo Nibali, and Jonas Vingegaard.

Several prominent riders are not participating in the Vuelta. Pogačar’s main rival, Jonas Vingegaard, is recovering from a broken collarbone sustained in a crash. Remco Evenepoel, who finished second to Pogačar at the Tour de France, has opted for rest and specific training for the Road World Championships in Montréal.

Monaco’s Historical Role and Upcoming Stages

Monaco has made history by becoming the first city to host the start of all three Grand Tours. The principality previously hosted the start of the Giro d’Italia in 1966 and the Tour de France in 2009. The time trial route on Saturday largely followed the same course as the annual Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The second stage of the Vuelta will also commence in Monaco, featuring a 214.3-kilometre hilly route through Provence to Manosque. This will be the longest stage of the race, which is scheduled to conclude in the southern Spanish city of Granada on September 13.

Source: tsn.ca