Tadej Pogacar Unmatched: Another Incredible Feat at the Vuelta

After Monday’s hailstorm, which forced organizers to cancel the third stage of the Vuelta, the Spanish stage race (still taking place outside Spain’s borders in these early stages) once again saw Tadej Pogacar’s absolute dominance, as he won the fourth stage, with Andorra la Vella, the capital of the eponymous principality, serving as both the start and finish after a 104.8-kilometer course. Having broken away midway through the stage, the Slovenian rider from UAE Team Emirates-XRG pulled away from the pack to win the stage and solidify his lead in the overall standings.

His rivals were left with only crumbs: Belgian Jarno Widar (Lotto Intermarché) led the first group of pursuers, which finished 2’39” behind. Joining him were Austrian Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM Team), Briton Oscar Onley (Netcompany Ineos), American Sepp Kuss (Team Visma-Lease a Bike), Spain’s Enric Mas (Movistar Team), and fellow Slovenian Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).

Little glory for the Italians: the best performer on the Andorran stage was Lorenzo Fortunato (ZDS Astana Team), who finished 13’45” behind Pogacar. In the general classification, the Slovenian “cannibal” leads by 3’21” over his compatriot Roglic, 3’32” over Mas, 3’44” over Kuss, and 3’45” over Onley. Fortunato is also the top Italian here, trailing by 16’01”.

On Wednesday, the 2026 Vuelta will feature its first stage on Spanish soil, following stages held in the Principality of Monaco, France, and Andorra. The fifth stage will see the cyclists tackle a 173.4-km route from Falset to Roquetas, a stage that promises to be conducive to breakaway attempts due to its “undulating” course.