Tadej Pogacar Wins Vuelta Opener by 0.09 Seconds in Monaco

Tadej Pogacar won the opening stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Saturday, taking the race leader's red jersey after a remarkably close individual time trial in Monaco. AFP reported that the Slovenian completed the 9.4-kilometre course in 10 minutes 57 seconds, finishing only 0.09 seconds ahead of Britain's Ethan Hayter.

Watch the highlights:

Joshua Tarling placed third, four seconds behind the top two. His podium finish came one week after his younger brother, Finlay, died in a road accident while competing in the Tour of Portugal. Tarling had taken the provisional lead before Hayter and then Pogacar displaced him at the top of the standings.

The short, technical route ran through the streets of Monaco, where Pogacar lives. He later credited his familiarity with the roads, noting that the most technical section passed his apartment and was part of an area he regularly walks and rides. Pogacar said he had not expected to win by such a narrow margin.

Pogacar also explained that he had hoped Tarling's time might hold after learning of the death of the British rider's brother. At the intermediate checkpoint, however, he was told Hayter was three seconds ahead. Pogacar responded by pushing for the finish while trying not to take excessive risks on the technical course.

The victory gave Pogacar the first lead of the 81st Vuelta as he pursues a career sweep of cycling's three Grand Tours. He won the Giro d'Italia in 2024 and secured his fifth Tour de France title last month. According to AFP, winning this Vuelta would make him the fourth rider to complete the Tour-Vuelta double in one season and the ninth to win all three Grand Tours during a career.

Another Slovenian contender, Primoz Roglic, finished 24th as he began his attempt to win a record-equalling fifth Vuelta title. The race continues Sunday with a 214.3-kilometre stage from Monaco to Manosque in France. Monday's 174-kilometre route runs from Gruissan to Aude, and the fourth stage is scheduled for Andorra before the race enters Spain.