{"id":259150,"date":"2026-08-22T17:46:38","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T17:46:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/22\/as-it-happened-time-trial-goes-down-to-the-wire-at-stage-1-of-the-vuelta-a-espana-stage-1\/"},"modified":"2026-08-22T17:46:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T17:46:38","slug":"as-it-happened-time-trial-goes-down-to-the-wire-at-stage-1-of-the-vuelta-a-espana-stage-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/22\/as-it-happened-time-trial-goes-down-to-the-wire-at-stage-1-of-the-vuelta-a-espana-stage-1\/","title":{"rendered":"As it happened: Time trial goes down to the wire at stage 1 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T17:46:38+00:00\">2026-08-22T17:46:38.683Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6ec8976c-9e51-11f1-ad65-7719b12125b2\">So Poga\u010dar picks up from where he left off at the Tour de France with yet another win &#8211; his 20th this season. While a Poga\u010dar victory never exactly comes as a surprise, this one was more unexpected, and it\u2019s only his second in a time trial in his last five attempts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T17:39:33+00:00\">2026-08-22T17:39:33.958Z<\/time><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-7189a14a-9e50-11f1-9215-ff299cc52c58\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:68.46%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MiEh4b2a5tADEABr9Yp6w7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MiEh4b2a5tADEABr9Yp6w7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MiEh4b2a5tADEABr9Yp6w7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MiEh4b2a5tADEABr9Yp6w7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MiEh4b2a5tADEABr9Yp6w7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MiEh4b2a5tADEABr9Yp6w7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T17:34:29+00:00\">2026-08-22T17:34:29.338Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-pogacar-wins\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-pogacar-wins\"><span>POGACAR WINS<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-bbd2e6d6-9e4f-11f1-a515-590b8fe5beb3\">The last man on the course, Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d, finishes down in 24th, confirming that, for the 128th time in his career, Tadej Poga\u010dar has won the race!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T17:32:16+00:00\">2026-08-22T17:32:16.209Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-new-fastest-time-tadej-pogacar\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-new-fastest-time-tadej-pogacar\"><span>NEW FASTEST TIME &#8211; TADEJ POGACAR<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-6c762ff8-9e4f-11f1-8286-8d5acb457fd5\">The big man has done it again, but by the barest of margins! Tadej Poga\u010dar mercilessly attacked the final kilometres of the technical route, and defeated Hayter&#8217;s time by a mere nine hundreds of a second. Hayter must be devastated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T17:29:04+00:00\">2026-08-22T17:29:04.638Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-fa5f2dd4-9e4e-11f1-ac98-a5c2169146b2\">Van Aert reaches the finish\u2026and he\u2019s 7th fastest!<\/p>\n<p>The stage isn\u2019t Hayter\u2019s yet, though. Poga\u010dar has yet to finish, and he was second fastest at the time check by two seconds. How hard will he go during the technical final section?<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T17:26:15+00:00\">2026-08-22T17:26:15.014Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9536c412-9e4e-11f1-8d85-0b7560ad3ed4\">Van Aert goes through the intermediate check, and he&#8217;s down a bit, 5th fastest. He will need to speed up a lot if he&#8217;s to win the stage.<\/p>\n<p>His points classification rival Pedersen reaches the finish down in 13, having slowed down in the second half.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-9536c412-9e4e-11f1-8d85-0b7560ad3ed4-2\">Multiple former winner Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d is also on the road, meaning there is nobody else left to start. We&#8217;ll know who the first wearer of the red jersey will be imminently.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T17:21:01+00:00\">2026-08-22T17:21:01.052Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-new-fastest-time-ethan-hayter\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-new-fastest-time-ethan-hayter\"><span>NEW FASTEST TIME &#8211; ETHAN HAYTER<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-da0ee46c-9e4d-11f1-b656-3d34d3858fae\">Hayter does it! He smashes Tarling&#8217;s time at the finish by four whole seconds.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s going to be some time to beat, and there&#8217;s only a handful of riders left to finish. But one of them Tadej Poga\u010dar, who has just started his ride. This is going to be a hectic end to the stage.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T17:18:55+00:00\">2026-08-22T17:18:55.759Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8fd5acfa-9e4d-11f1-bdc8-e1908a3367c3\">Only a few riders left, and one of them is among the very top favourites for the win today &#8211; Wout van Aert. He&#8217;s just taken off from the start ramp, and looks like he means business.<\/p>\n<p>Further up the road, Ethan Hayter is on a great day, and has just smashed Tarling&#8217;s time at the intermediate check by a whole three seconds! Could there been a swap of Brits at the hot seat?<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T17:13:57+00:00\">2026-08-22T17:13:57.443Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-dda1a4f8-9e4c-11f1-8f75-6f40c7c5153e\">Some more of the race&#8217;s biggest names have just finished. Enric Mas loses 29 seconds with the 36th best time, a time you imagine he&#8217;ll be reasonably happy with given his dislike of this discipline. And intriguingly, Jo\u00e3o Almeida (pictured) finishes 13th fastest at 14 seconds &#8211; not his best ride, but a sign he has come into this Vuelta with some form, after such a rough season.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile Tarling&#8217;s time was immediately put under threat from Christophe Laporte, but the Frenchman must settle for third fastest, two seconds slower.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-dda1a566-9e4c-11f1-829a-c57f98981732\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:68.46%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg.jpg\" alt=\"MONACO, MONACO - AUGUST 22: Joao Almeida of Portugal and UAE Team Emirates XRG competes during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 1 a 9.4km individual time trial stage from Monaco to Monaco \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 22, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WudH3P8jcAaytK4opiqRcg.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T17:05:03+00:00\">2026-08-22T17:05:03.103Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-new-fastest-time-josh-tarling\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-new-fastest-time-josh-tarling\"><span>NEW FASTEST TIME &#8211; JOSH TARLING<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-9f625e72-9e4b-11f1-94b2-0576dd7974ee\">Tarling has done it, just about! The Brit reaches the lines a mere second quicker than Thornley. He now waits on the host seat to see if that time will be beaten by any of the big names to come, but whatever happens from here, that was a moving performance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T16:59:36+00:00\">2026-08-22T16:59:36.222Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-dc59a6d8-9e4a-11f1-a7b1-734c1f761180\">Tarling has made an excellent start! He&#8217;s quickest at the first check, by one second. Thornley did do a flyer of a second half on the more technical section, so he&#8217;ll have to keep going, but he&#8217;s looking good to take the lead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T16:54:43+00:00\">2026-08-22T16:54:43.248Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2d9b1a6e-9e4a-11f1-bd1b-f7f921529b85\">Josh Tarling is out on the road, and you can only imagine what he is going through. Only last week the Brit lost his youngest brother Finlay after a collision at the Volta a Portugal, and he is riding in his honour today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T16:50:19+00:00\">2026-08-22T16:50:19.365Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-new-fastest-time-callum-thornley\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-new-fastest-time-callum-thornley\"><span>NEW FASTEST TIME &#8211; CALLUM THORNLEY<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-92ba1158-9e49-11f1-8118-4da74b40c092\">Yet another new man on the hot seat, and it&#8217;s yet another shock &#8211; this time it&#8217;s a Red Bull young rider, Callum Thornley. Shortly after Jay Vine finished with the 6th fastest time, Thornley flew to the finish with a time three seconds quicker than Bisiaux.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T16:44:35+00:00\">2026-08-22T16:44:35.721Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-new-fastest-time-leo-bisiaux\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-new-fastest-time-leo-bisiaux\"><span>NEW FASTEST TIME &#8211; LEO BISIAUX <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-c395cc32-9e48-11f1-a9f9-5b64d6fb3c50\">The same pattern repeats again &#8211; a Decathlon rider sets the new fastest time! Having been 4 seconds down at the first check, L\u00e9o Bisiaux rode a superb second half of the route to post the best time at the finish, a fraction of a second quicker than his teammate Chamberlain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T16:41:17+00:00\">2026-08-22T16:41:17.389Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4d8468c8-9e48-11f1-8101-b9adcff126e6\"><em><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go!<\/strong><\/em><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=LV26\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=LV26\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=LV26\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><strong> Join today<\/strong><\/em><\/a><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T16:36:19+00:00\">2026-08-22T16:36:19.770Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9be6eaaa-9e47-11f1-8c45-c15e639f634b\">Jay Vine is the latest stage contender to start. He&#8217;s quality against the clock, and was second behind Ganna in the time trial last year. But his questionable technique will be severely tested by this technical route.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T16:30:13+00:00\">2026-08-22T16:30:13.434Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c19af076-9e46-11f1-971d-e7046236ac41\">Stefan K\u00fcng has finished, but he&#8217;s not up to the speed he was in Poland. The Swiss rider posts the fourth fastest time, and won&#8217;t be on the podium tonight.<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;s narrowly slower than Alessandro Romele, another impressive young performer who has gone third fastest.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T16:23:23+00:00\">2026-08-22T16:23:23.417Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-new-fastest-time-oscar-chamberlain\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-new-fastest-time-oscar-chamberlain\"><span>NEW FASTEST TIME &#8211; OSCAR CHAMBERLAIN<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-cd2688a2-9e45-11f1-bb0e-c9f7f7da54c0\">Another surprise, and it&#8217;s another Decathlon rider who has delivered it. 21-year-old Oscar Chamberlain has gone two seconds quicker than Kluckers. That ride has come out of nowhere from a man making his Grand Tour debut, who has never before won a pro race.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T16:18:40+00:00\">2026-08-22T16:18:40.682Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-24a1104e-9e45-11f1-bfbd-93d2c626195e\">Veteran Mikel Landa has finished, and is a long way down, losing over a minute with the 90th best time so far. He&#8217;s never been a time trialist, and that ride suggests he hasn&#8217;t come into the kind of form necessary to push for the kind of high overall finishes he used to.<\/p>\n<p>One rider who is a time trialist is Stefan Kung, who has just started his ride. The Swiss rider is in form having won a the Tour of Poland recently, and won a time trial stage at the Vuelta two years ago.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T16:09:01+00:00\">2026-08-22T16:09:01.619Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-new-fastest-time-arthur-kluckers\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-new-fastest-time-arthur-kluckers\"><span>NEW FASTEST TIME &#8211; ARTHUR KLUCKERS <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-cba0b0a4-9e43-11f1-ab46-3543322ab86c\">Brennan has been ousted from the hot seat! Kluckers had gone 2 seconds quicker at the time check, and extended that to 4 seconds by the finish. He might have finished 6th at the Tour of Poland time trial recently, but that&#8217;s still a surprising ride from the Luxembourger<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T15:59:30+00:00\">2026-08-22T15:59:30.023Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-76b6b29c-9e42-11f1-8c5d-65b1556118b7\">Onley and Gall (pictured) have both now finished, and they\u2019ve both set similar times &#8211; both losing quite a bit of time. Onley was well down in with the 40th fastest time, losing 34 seconds to Brennan, while Gall (though normally the inferior time trialist) limited his losses to 30 seconds with the 33rd fastest time.<\/p>\n<p>Much quicker is young Pablo Torres, who has gone 6th quickest so far at his first ever stage at a Grand Tour.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-76b6b314-9e42-11f1-83ad-95332bdbca57\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH.jpg\" alt=\"MONACO, MONACO - AUGUST 22: Felix Gall of Austria and Team Decathlon CMA CGM competes during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 1 a 9.4km individual time trial stage from Monaco to Monaco \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 22, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3vo6tGi2RiKn8UcdUBcYXH.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T15:53:54+00:00\">2026-08-22T15:53:54.580Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-af084512-9e41-11f1-b496-adab9ecb61ce\">Another top name for the podium is on the road now, and, all things considered, is going OK. Felix Gall is 16th fastest at the time check, only 3 seconds slower than Carapaz and five seconds slower than Skjelmose. For a man whose Achilles&#8217; heel is the time trial, he will take this.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T15:49:17+00:00\">2026-08-22T15:49:17.146Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-096d2de8-9e41-11f1-a609-4d045b06f0be\"><em><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go!<\/strong><\/em><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=LV26\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=LV26\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=LV26\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><strong> Join today<\/strong><\/em><\/a><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T15:44:55+00:00\">2026-08-22T15:44:55.746Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6dc8d108-9e40-11f1-a66e-efd08cdf3523\">Oscar Onley is off an underway! Following an injury-disrupted start to the season, this will be his first Grand Tour since placing fourth at the Tour de France last year. Given the form he showed at the Vuelta a Burgos, he&#8217;s one of the top candidates for a podium finish overall, so will race hard today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T15:37:32+00:00\">2026-08-22T15:37:32.013Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-new-fastest-time-matthew-brennan\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-new-fastest-time-matthew-brennan\"><span>NEW FASTEST TIME &#8211; MATTHEW BRENNAN<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-6520ea50-9e3f-11f1-85c6-a39bd9bc3c1a\">The Brit has indeed gone faster, beating De Pestel by two seconds! That&#8217;s one hell of a ride from Brennan, especially considering it&#8217;s the sprint we&#8217;re anticipating him making an impact at this Vuelta, rather than the time trial. He&#8217;s a huge talent whose versatility could become one of the stories of this race.<\/p>\n<p>And he was also one of the young riders we picked to look out for ahead of the race. Have a read to see who else we&#8217;re backing, in a race where young talent often comes to the fore.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-6520ea50-9e3f-11f1-85c6-a39bd9bc3c1a-2\"><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/emerging-talents\/cyclings-next-generation-heads-to-spain-young-riders-to-watch-at-the-vuelta-a-espana\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/emerging-talents\/cyclings-next-generation-heads-to-spain-young-riders-to-watch-at-the-vuelta-a-espana\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/emerging-talents\/cyclings-next-generation-heads-to-spain-young-riders-to-watch-at-the-vuelta-a-espana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cycling&#8217;s next generation heads to Spain \u2013 Young riders to watch at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T15:34:41+00:00\">2026-08-22T15:34:41.992Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-new-fastest-time-sander-de-pestel\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-new-fastest-time-sander-de-pestel\"><span>NEW FASTEST TIME &#8211; SANDER DE PESTEL<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-ffea4582-9e3e-11f1-b116-371626d3717c\">A turn up for the books here &#8211; Sander De Pestel has just posted the best time, five seconds faster than his Decathlon teammate Labrosse. What did the Decathlon riders eat today for lunch? Whatever it is it&#8217;s working, as they&#8217;re on fire.<\/p>\n<p>De Pestel might not be in the hot seat for long though, as Brennan is flying and has the fastest time at the intermediate check. Watch this space&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T15:32:03+00:00\">2026-08-22T15:32:03.475Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a167707a-9e3e-11f1-8455-a33aeb1fed5e\">A couple more significant GC times to report. Both Mattias Skjelmose (6th at the Tour de France this year) and Tobias Halland Johannessen (6th at the Tour de France last year) have finished 5 seconds slower than Laborsse, and are placed 4th and 3rd respectively on the virtual classification. Skjelmose might have wanted to go quicker than that, given how the time trial is usually one of his big weapons.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-a16770d4-9e3e-11f1-81b3-5d4a04876b09\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV.jpg\" alt=\"MONACO, MONACO - AUGUST 22: Tobias Halland Johannessen of Norway and Team Uno-X Mobility competes during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 1 a 9.4km individual time trial stage from Monaco to Monaco \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 22, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NsCrkgz6XghFZVnqRfqCgV.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T15:24:44+00:00\">2026-08-22T15:24:44.228Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9b895d40-9e3d-11f1-b535-1fd28b71dac5\">For the first time in his career, Matthew Brennan is riding at a Grand Tour! He&#8217;s just started his ride, bringing to a beginning a Vuelta debut which has attracted much hype. This probably won&#8217;t be a day for him, but he has his eyes on the sprints, which he is a genuine contender for a win based on his brilliant form this season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T15:16:13+00:00\">2026-08-22T15:16:13.321Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6af80e02-9e3c-11f1-9656-f932eb02f578\">Sepp Kuss has just finished, 22 seconds with the 13th fastest ride. That didn&#8217;t appear to be a ride from someone going as hard as possible to limit his losses, but nor did he sit up and take it easy.<\/p>\n<p>The 2023 champion has said that is prioritising chasing stage wins over the GC, but that ride suggests he isn&#8217;t totally sacrificing the former just yet.<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/a-top-10-on-gc-isnt-as-important-as-a-stage-win-2023-vuelta-a-espana-champion-sepp-kuss-to-make-definitive-decision-on-overall-bid-at-end-of-first-week\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/a-top-10-on-gc-isnt-as-important-as-a-stage-win-2023-vuelta-a-espana-champion-sepp-kuss-to-make-definitive-decision-on-overall-bid-at-end-of-first-week\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/a-top-10-on-gc-isnt-as-important-as-a-stage-win-2023-vuelta-a-espana-champion-sepp-kuss-to-make-definitive-decision-on-overall-bid-at-end-of-first-week\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8216;A top 10 on GC isn&#8217;t as important as a stage win&#8217; \u2013 2023 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a champion Sepp Kuss to make definitive decision on overall bid at end of first week<\/a><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-6af80e84-9e3c-11f1-88b1-a7b9cb65bbae\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL.jpg\" alt=\"MONACO, MONACO - AUGUST 22: Sepp Kuss of United States and Team Visma | Lease a Bike competes during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 1 a 9.4km individual time trial stage from Monaco to Monaco \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 22, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Pmq933JTdmmAPqjeockWEL.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T15:08:48+00:00\">2026-08-22T15:08:48.993Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-620d320a-9e3b-11f1-bbf6-8f2f4c0d075b\">Labrosse\u2019s time is safe for now, with nobody threatening it at the intermediate time check.<\/p>\n<p>While there\u2019s a slight lull in what has been a hectic start, be sure to catch up on what\u2019s happened at both the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/renewi-tour-jasper-philipsen-awarded-photo-finish-sprint-to-claim-stage-4-victory-retakes-leaders-jersey\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/renewi-tour-jasper-philipsen-awarded-photo-finish-sprint-to-claim-stage-4-victory-retakes-leaders-jersey\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/renewi-tour-jasper-philipsen-awarded-photo-finish-sprint-to-claim-stage-4-victory-retakes-leaders-jersey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Renewi Tour<\/a> and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/tour-of-britain-women-lorena-wiebes-claims-hard-fought-hat-trick-of-victories-on-stage-4\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/tour-of-britain-women-lorena-wiebes-claims-hard-fought-hat-trick-of-victories-on-stage-4\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/tour-of-britain-women-lorena-wiebes-claims-hard-fought-hat-trick-of-victories-on-stage-4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tour of Britain Women<\/a>, both of which have finished.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T15:01:59+00:00\">2026-08-22T15:01:59.445Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6e455c92-9e3a-11f1-a726-8d5bbab03670\">Richard Carapaz has finished his ride, and it looks pretty solid. He&#8217;s third fastest, with a time ten seconds slower than Labrosse. We&#8217;ll have a much better idea of how good it is later on, once the other non-time trial specialist GC riders start their rides.<\/p>\n<p>A couple of other such rider have just rolled off the start ramp &#8211; Matthew Riccitello, and former winner Sepp Kuss. Unlike Carapaz, they are only outside contenders, and may not go hard today if they&#8217;re not targetting it.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-6e455cf6-9e3a-11f1-9c94-8f4cb6df3d52\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL.jpg\" alt=\"MONACO, MONACO - AUGUST 22: Richard Carapaz of Ecuador and Team EF Education - EasyPost competes during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 1 a 9.4km individual time trial stage from Monaco to Monaco \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 22, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHNRM2BrZQojeQ4URVB4sL.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T14:52:17+00:00\">2026-08-22T14:52:17.454Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-new-fastest-time-labrosse\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-new-fastest-time-labrosse\"><span>NEW FASTEST TIME &#8211; LABROSSE<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-1331e86c-9e39-11f1-ac00-439e3b651cd1\">Another new leader is in the clubhouse, and this time by a big margin, as 23-year-old Jordan Labrosse (pictured) bests Norsgaard by a whole 16 seconds. That&#8217;s a mighty impressive ride, but even he was challenged moments later as sprinter Aulaur came within a second of beating him at the finish.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-1331e8da-9e39-11f1-8902-a37a37a1e336\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:70.61%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3.jpg\" alt=\"MONACO, MONACO - AUGUST 22: Jordan Labrosse of France and Team Decathlon CMA CGM competes during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 1 a 9.4km individual time trial stage from Monaco to Monaco \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 22, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JjYiuFpv5kB6qMQ3ewBPR3.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T14:47:11+00:00\">2026-08-22T14:47:11.417Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-new-fastest-time-mathias-sunekaer-norsgaard\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-new-fastest-time-mathias-sunekaer-norsgaard\"><span>NEW FASTEST TIME &#8211; MATHIAS SUNEKAER NORSGAARD <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-5cb43a18-9e38-11f1-8fc7-7f4618583edd\">A Norwegian has been usurped by a Dane! Lidl&#8217;s Norsgaard pips Leknessund&#8217;s time by a mere second, after Kaden Groves had himself fallen just one second short.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile at the start, the first major GC contender has just began &#8211; Richard Carapaz. After his star attacking turn at the Tour de France, he&#8217;s stated his intent to commit fully to GC at this race, so will go hard to concede as little time as possible.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-9f3e4798-9e38-11f1-9dc1-9b5322254e5f\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU.jpg\" alt=\"MONACO, MONACO - AUGUST 22: Mathias Norsgaard Jorgensen of Denmark and Team Lidl - Trek competes during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 1 a 9.4km individual time trial stage from Monaco to Monaco \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 22, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gBvBSKwNxuzZnPzm5DxQxU.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T14:41:06+00:00\">2026-08-22T14:41:06.840Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-new-fastest-time-leknessund\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-new-fastest-time-leknessund\"><span>NEW FASTEST TIME &#8211; LEKNESSUND <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-8367a29a-9e37-11f1-a279-bbe24700d35d\">Uriarte\u2019s time has indeed been beaten, by three riders in quick succession &#8211; Beloki, Porter, then Leknessund, who has gone quicker by a whole nine seconds.<\/p>\n<p>He might have faced some stiff competition from Bruno Armirail, one of the few time trial specialists who have set off early, but the Frenchman\u2019s hopes have been dashed by a mechanical.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T14:37:54+00:00\">2026-08-22T14:37:54.646Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-10d02432-9e37-11f1-8288-c51addebd5af\">After taking off first, Diego Uriarte (pictured) has the fastest time at the finish, and none of the five riders who have joined him at the clubhouse so far have manage to better him. But his time is under threat by Andreas Leknessund, who is quicker than him at the intermediate check.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-10d02496-9e37-11f1-81f3-63f5f4242e04\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk.jpg\" alt=\"MONACO, MONACO - AUGUST 22: Diego Uriarte of Spain and Team Equipo Kern Pharma competes during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 1 a 9.4km individual time trial stage from Monaco to Monaco \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 22, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xtMCbzWpp5orLLdWxwfnGk.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T14:32:51+00:00\">2026-08-22T14:32:51.232Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5c0ed160-9e36-11f1-8638-91c974135d6d\">Kaden Groves is the latest to start. The Australian is on a mission to win what would be a third points classification at this race. But he&#8217;s unlikely to score any points today. The time trial might be short, but not quite short enough for a sprinter like himself.<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/were-looking-for-the-green-jersey-but-itll-be-difficult-kaden-groves-tips-tadej-pogacar-as-potential-rival-in-hunt-for-vuelta-a-espana-points-classification\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/were-looking-for-the-green-jersey-but-itll-be-difficult-kaden-groves-tips-tadej-pogacar-as-potential-rival-in-hunt-for-vuelta-a-espana-points-classification\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/were-looking-for-the-green-jersey-but-itll-be-difficult-kaden-groves-tips-tadej-pogacar-as-potential-rival-in-hunt-for-vuelta-a-espana-points-classification\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8216;We&#8217;re looking for the green jersey, but it&#8217;ll be difficult&#8217; &#8211; Kaden Groves tips Tadej Poga\u010dar as potential rival in hunt for Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a points classification<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T14:26:26+00:00\">2026-08-22T14:26:26.579Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-76a68bae-9e35-11f1-a1e1-67b25161874c\">There are no real curve balls in the running order, with most of the top riders not setting off until later in the day. But there is one man already out that&#8217;s worth keeping an eye on &#8211; Markel Beloki. As the son of Joseba, he has the genes, and based on some of his performances since turning pro, he has the talent too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T14:18:57+00:00\">2026-08-22T14:18:57.399Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-official-start\"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-official-start\"><span>OFFICIAL START<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-6af64642-9e34-11f1-a825-6bdc2a38baa9\">The first rider is Diego Uriarte, and he rolls down the start ramp to get this year&#8217;s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a underway!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T14:14:26+00:00\">2026-08-22T14:14:26.498Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c969c4b6-9e33-11f1-995b-a9ee85103e3f\">In terms of the stage win today, there\u2019s very healthy competition among some quality time trialists all vying for the honor of wearing the red jersey. Poga\u010dar is inevitably a contender, but will be up against specialists like Wout van Aert and Josh Tarling. Here\u2019s the full running order of the day.<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/vuelta-a-espana-stage-1-time-trial-start-times-when-jay-vine-wout-van-aert-tadej-pogacar-and-others-take-turns-on-twisting-9-6km-route-in-monaco\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/vuelta-a-espana-stage-1-time-trial-start-times-when-jay-vine-wout-van-aert-tadej-pogacar-and-others-take-turns-on-twisting-9-6km-route-in-monaco\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/vuelta-a-espana-stage-1-time-trial-start-times-when-jay-vine-wout-van-aert-tadej-pogacar-and-others-take-turns-on-twisting-9-6km-route-in-monaco\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 1 time trial start times \u2013 When Jay Vine, Wout van Aert, Tadej Poga\u010dar and others take turns on twisting 9.6km route in Monaco<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T14:08:57+00:00\">2026-08-22T14:08:57.545Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-056ac830-9e33-11f1-a6e4-fd057b6b252a\">Poga\u010dar and the other GC contenders\u2019 quest for the red jersey begins with a short, flat, but technical time trial in Monaco. It\u2019s not long enough to cause especially big gaps between the GC contenders, but there\u2019s been much talk about the tricky corners &#8211; anyone wanting a high GC finish will have to be careful not to make a mistake.<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/vuelta-a-espana-2026-stage-1-preview\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/vuelta-a-espana-2026-stage-1-preview\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/vuelta-a-espana-2026-stage-1-preview\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 stage 1 preview<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T14:04:47+00:00\">2026-08-22T14:04:47.021Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-701700a0-9e32-11f1-8f6c-3b92d34f966d\">It\u2019s time at last for the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, the final Grand Tour of the season! After all the thrills of the Tour de France in July and Tour de France Femmes in August, the attention of the cycling world now turns to Spain.<\/p>\n<p>Much like in France, it\u2019s the same man who is hogging all of the attention &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar The Slovenian is going into this race as even more of a favourite than he was for the Tour, and the world is braced for another special performance from him. Poga\u010dar himself, though, is stressing the need to approach intelligently, and not take things for granted.<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/its-going-to-be-a-very-tough-race-tadej-pogacar-looking-to-complete-the-grand-slam-of-grand-tours-in-the-vuelta-a-espana\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/its-going-to-be-a-very-tough-race-tadej-pogacar-looking-to-complete-the-grand-slam-of-grand-tours-in-the-vuelta-a-espana\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/its-going-to-be-a-very-tough-race-tadej-pogacar-looking-to-complete-the-grand-slam-of-grand-tours-in-the-vuelta-a-espana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8216;I need to race smart&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar looking to complete the Grand Slam of Grand Tours in the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, while still looking ahead<\/a><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-70170104-9e32-11f1-8ccf-55a22078a5a7\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:67.97%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6.jpg\" alt=\"MONACO, MONACO - AUGUST 20: Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Team Presentation \/ #UCIWT \/ on August 20, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvpejryw6FfwdiNHbvjou6.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"ecom-root\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-22T13:57:37+00:00\">2026-08-22T13:57:37.907Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2c430990-98c5-11f1-bb17-25a35fb027b6\">Hola and welcome to stage one of the 2026 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/vuelta-a-espana-stage-1-live-tadej-pogacar-and-wout-van-aert-take-part-in-monaco-time-trial-gran-partida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2026-08-22T17:46:38.683Z So Poga\u010dar picks up from where he left off at the Tour de France with yet another win &#8211; his 20th this season. While a Poga\u010dar victory never exactly comes as a surprise, this one was more unexpected, and it\u2019s only his second in a time trial in his last five attempts. 2026-08-22T17:39:33.958Z (Image [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":259151,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6804],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-259150","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259150","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=259150"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259150\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/259151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=259150"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=259150"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=259150"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}