Tadej Pogačar wins the first stage of the Vuelta a España 2026

The Vuelta Ciclista a España 2026 has officially begun, and the first stage immediately produced a winner of great renown: Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) took the inaugural stage with a time of 10:57.14, also claiming the first leader's jersey of the race. The race In the opening stage, the crono, Pogačar crossed the line ahead, Ethan Hayter (Soudal Quick-Step) and Joshua Tarling (Netcompany Ineos) finished in second and third place respectively, both with the same time as the winner. Behind them, Callum Thornley (Red Bull - Bora - Hansgrohe) and Christophe Laporte (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) completed the top five, all within the same time. Stage result 1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) — 10:57.14 2. Ethan Hayter (Soudal Quick-Step) — s.t. 3. Joshua Tarling (Netcompany Ineos) — s.t. 4. Callum Thornley (Red Bull - Bora - Hansgrohe) — s.t. 5. Christophe Laporte (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) — s.t. Updated general classification As this was the first stage, there was no previous general classification. After the opening stage, Pogačar is the first leader of the race with 10:57, followed by Hayter on the same time and Tarling 4 seconds back. Closing The race continues tomorrow with a new stage: 20 stages remain to be contested and the general classification is still wide open. Pogačar will wear the leader's jersey on the second day of racing.