"I needed to distract myself" - Joshua Tarling gives his everything to win the opening Vuelta time trial for Finlay
CyclingSaturday, 22 August 2026 at 23:00
It would've been a story of the month, had Joshua Tarling won the opening time trial of 2026 Vuelta a Espana. But unfortunately, he was surpassed by compatriot Ethan Hayter and, in the end, also by the race's main favourite Tadej Pogacar.
The 9.4-kilometer time trial in the streets of Monaco has been a great show from British riders. Matthew Brennan jumped into the provisional lead when there were still more than 100 riders to start, but that was only a hint of what was yet to come.
Some 70 finishers later, the Union Jack returned to hot seat thanks to a splendid performance from Grand Tour debutant Callum Thornley. The 23-year-old Brit would finish just a second off podium. 17 minutes later, the time trial's big favourite Joshua Tarling crossed finish line - as expected in green numbers.
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At that point, only 29 riders were to complete the first stage, and all seemed set for good news for the Tarling family after the tragedy that encountered Joshua's younger brother Finlay at Volta a Portugal last week.
But it wasn't meant to be; first compatriot Ethan Hayter clocked a time four seconds better than Tarling, only to be dethroned by penultimate rider on start ramp, Tadej Pogacar, by mere 0.09 seconds.
White is not the new red
Tarling still moves into the white jersey for best young rider, but that's not the prize he came to Monaco for.
"I’m super happy, as happy as I can be. I gave everything I had. I can’t do much more. It was a good course for me obviously. I liked it, technical and twisty, a lot like it was in the Tour but minus the climb," Tarling said after the stage.
That 10-minute full-throttle effort was just what Tarling needed to take his mind off the harsh reality, he admits. "I needed to distract myself. Thanks to my family for giving me the blessing to come here and just do another bike race.”
While the odds of a breakaway victory are never a zero, Tarling will primarily look ahead to the stage 18 individual time trial. Over a 32-kilometer course, unknowns such as the technical course in the streets of Monaco should not play a role, and raw power will prevail. That is when Tarling can truly shine.
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- i’d like to see him get another roubaix, mayyyybee another msr or flanders (tough) and one more tdf stage, then move to mountain bike full time until he gets the world championship he wants so badly.OCexile22-08-2026
- @SLOMOU: I’ve always compared 2024 to Merckx’s year of 3 monuments and 2 tours, ‘72 I think or maybe ‘73, basically because I think of the worlds as a monument that keeps changing location. That’s not worth arguing about, honestly, because I can see it both ways. But this season? This is absurdly good, and nothing is stopping him so far. It’s a wonder to watch.RidesHills22-08-2026
- Was Pog towed by the motorbikes. They were bit closer than other riders. Food for thought .Pog fan but sad that Tarling was denied.paultryan200222-08-2026
- Objectively hes actually on pace to crush the best cycling season of all time..Im not a fan of him but its astonishing to see it really is i have to admit.miguel22-08-2026
- You're absolutely right in saying: If all this works out, we're watching the best cycling season ever. Pogi had the best cycling season in history in 2024, but this year he will surpass that if he wins the Vuelta, WC and Lombardy. I'm also not surprised, but proud and happy for my compatriot.PogiSloFans22-08-2026
- Another example on stage 3 that Visma isnt strong enough to controll anything. UAE with Del toro and pelizzari just played with Visma again. Same thing every race all yearmiguel22-08-2026
- Did I expect that? Of course I did, who didn't? But did I really expect that? No way in hell was that supposed to actually happen. Hayter rode an incredible time trial, and for a second time it's less than a second that it took for Pogačar to win a time trial. (He's now won a TT in every grand tour.) So am I surprised? Not really. 20 wins this season already? And the whole Vuelta still ahead of him? If all this works out, we're watching the best cycling season ever. He could end up with 4 monuments (and a 2nd on the 5th), 2 grand tours, and the worlds. Will I be surprised if he does? Not really.RidesHills22-08-2026
- Grischa left mid season, coaches left mid sesaon many riders left mid contact all these is nothing to aknowlegdge all these things are a matter of a fact. This TDF Visma was incredible weak too so easy to see and so bad for jonas all tour untill he crashes, im sorry but i doubt you watch much cycling if you cant aknowledge that visma is getting worse alot now. They cant keep up with rbh and lidl like the owner has said so if you cant aknowledge these things im sorry but your not worth talking much to as i dont think you watch that much cycling then hehe. Its just a matter of facts all these things i mentioned im sorry wish you all the bestmiguel22-08-2026
- hopefully they do cause they need something I think we can agree on that that the trend is not in their favour last years. Ballerini is decent my problem hes another sprinter doesnt really help jonas at all. But hopefully they can sign someone really good that would be good but i doubt they have the needs but lets see.miguel22-08-2026
- fingers crossed!Ketterechts22-08-2026
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