RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates-XRG speaks during a press conference ahead of the 2026 Tour de France cycling race. (is associated with: «Pogačar wins Vuelta opener, Tarling third days after brother's death») David Pintens/Belga/dpa
Cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar won the opening stage of the 81st Vuelta/Tour of Spain by the narrowest of margins on Saturday, claiming the red jersey as overall leader for the first time in his career.
The Slovenian edged the short 9.4-kilometre individual time trial in his adopted home of Monaco, beating Britain's Ethan Hayter by nine hundredths of a second.
Pogačar is still missing an overall victory at the Vuelta.
The 27-year-old has dominated cycling in the way Belgian icon Eddy Merckx used to. Pogačar's long list of achievements includes a record-equalling five Tour de France titles including in July, two world championship titles, victory at the Giro d'Italia and numerous wins in the classics.
At the end of the 3,275-kilometre Vuelta, he wants to stand on the top step of the podium at the finish in Granada. That would mean Pogačar has won all three Grand Tours.
The start was most emotional for third-placed Josh Tarling, four seconds down.
The 22-year-old was in the lead at one point and said he was riding for his brother Finlay, who died just eight days ago. The 19-year-old was killed last Friday during the Tour of Portugal.
The Welshman was hit by a vehicle that was not involved in the race. It was said to have been travelling on the course in the opposite direction to the peloton.
A few days after the tragic accident, the family also announced the death of Josh's grandfather.
The longest stage of this year's Vuelta awaits Pogačar and the rest of the field on Sunday. The demanding stage covers 214.3 kilometres with 3,300 metres of climbing from Monaco to the small French town of Manosque.
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