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Pogacar wins Vuelta stage four solo
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The gist
Tadej Pogacar won Vuelta stage four solo from 50km out, extending his lead to 3'21".
His dominance raises questions about whether the Vuelta is already decided.
Background
Pogacar, the world champion and five-time Tour de France winner, is competing in the Vuelta a España for the first time since 2019. He won the opening time trial and held the leader's jersey entering stage four, a mountainous 105km route in Andorra. His solo attack on the Collada de Beixalis was his longest Grand Tour solo victory, and he now leads the general classification by more than three minutes.
How it unfolded
- Aug 22, 2026Pogacar wins stage one, a 9.4km time trial in Monaco, taking the race lead.
- Aug 23, 2026Britain's Brennan wins stage two; Pogacar keeps the overall lead.
- Aug 25, 2026Pogacar attacks with 50km to go on stage four, soloing to victory in Andorra la Vella and extending his lead to 3'21".
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- His margin is 'insurmountable' and the Vuelta is effectively a race for second place.
- Caution
- The race isn't over; the podium battle behind him remains competitive.