“I really wished he would win today" - Tadej Pogacar wanted Joshua Tarling to win Vuelta opener as he takes red jersey
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar was rooting for Joshua Tarling to win the opening stage of the 2026 Vuelta a España. After the tragic death of his brother, Finlay Tarling, last week, the British rider started the Grand Tour on Saturday.
Starting the 9.4-kilometer Monaco time trial last on Saturday, the Tour de France winner knew that Tarling was leading provisionally at the time he set up. Pogacar has admitted that he held back slightly in honour of his competitor before something changed on the road.
The Slovenian got word at the intermediate checkpoint on the way to the line that Tarling's time had been bested by Ethan Hayer, leading him to turn up the heat and go all-out for the win - taking stage honours by an astoundingly slim margin.
The UAE Team Emirates -XRG leader crossed the line just 0.09 seconds quicker than Hayter, taking the first red jersey of the race and already putting himself in the clear driving seat to win the Vuelta.
“I really wished he would win today,” Pogacar said in his post-stage flash interview. “Of course I was going to give my best, but it was kind of a strange moment. I was really rooting for Josh as well.”
Tadej Pogacar and Joshua Tarling
Pogacar changes plan after hearing Hayter was ahead of Tarling
After admitting holding back slightly, Pogacar switched on the after-burners in the finale as he swooped through the final bends and took victory. However, he insisted that while his plan was to go all-out, he didn't take any unnecessary risks with three weeks of racing in mind.
“I heard a different name. I heard Ethan Hayter was in front of me by three seconds,” he said. “Then I said, ‘Okay, I give it all, but no risk,’ and see what happens.”
Pogacar, who lives in Monaco, one particularly familiar stretch stood out as the place where he believes the stage may have been won. “That 0.09 happened when I passed my apartment because that was the most technical part, and I walk and cycle there every day,” Pogacar explained.
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Pogacar faces battle on stage 2
“Even though it is completely different in the race, still, you race on your home roads, and you know it super well, so that helped me today.”
Pogacar may not hold the red jersey for long initially. Sunday's stage two is one for the attackers with an uphill finish and several contenders a matter of seconds from the lead eying a prestigious red jersey tilt. Those include Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen, just 9 and 16 seconds respectively off the lead.
"It’s going to be tough already tomorrow,” he said. “Some guys who are close on time can maybe go in the breakaway or sprint for bonus seconds. Tomorrow is going to be a tight fight for the red jersey.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- It doesnt take a genius to understand that Pogi is 1 level above and Pogi is younger that Jonas, so Jonas will not win under ordinary circumstances. Pogi has to crack hard for Jonas to win. It doesn't matter whether you defend Jonas or not , facts remain facts. Jonas himself says his numbers are better than 2022/2023, so Jonas is more or less optimized and we are just see the stochastic variation due to other factors. I think he will retire along with Pedersen in WC denmarkabstractengineer13-11-2026
- They only raced each other during the 2026 Tour, but here's a few metrics to look at. Stage 3 (Granollers to Les Angles): Pogačar won the stage, finishing 2 seconds ahead of Vingegaard (2nd). Del Toro finished 24 seconds behind Stage 6 (Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre / Col du Tourmalet): Pogačar won solo, Vingegaard finished 2nd (losing 2:38), and Del Toro finished 3rd (at +2:57, finishing 19 seconds behind Vingegaard). Here, Jonas Vingegaard outclimbed Isaac del Toro by 19 seconds on the mountain stageawp13-11-2026
- your clinging to the past. Jonas was dropped by del toro many times last year and jonas never managed a climbing numers del toro did in dauphine last year -entire year. Trend is also evident theres no discussion your living in the past, its beent he same with jonas for many years now and only developing, meanwhile del toro is rising and developing greatly. This is all obvious stuff and im not even a del toro fan. No point discussing numbers or this i suspect you dont watch much now but rather think its 2022 still cause this aint hard.miguel13-11-2026
- We can go through metrics if you like, Del Toro, who I do admire and support, is not on the same level as Jonas just yet. You will see that in early 2027 if they have any crossover races. I do hope they both race the Giro. You are correct though, Jonas is getting older and will not be able to hand on much longer. I see 2027 as a good year for him. Obviously behind Tadej though.awp13-11-2026
- What wins? Are you LA operating under a pseudonym?mij13-11-2026
- My point is this - Tadej, Remco, Seixas are all the outliers. Many riders don’t hit their peak until 28. It’s way too early to write him off. And the pogi slo guy that hates him - he’s also immature. Ayuso needs time.mij13-11-2026
- Then you need to use ur eyes or head if you have cause del toro already dropped jonas two times and beat him in tdf stages already this year.. Del toro climbed(dauphine) better numbers than jonas did all year too. So ur feelings and wishful thinking doesnt amtter del toro himself has already surpassed jonas infact just facts. Its also very evident for anyone objective that Jonas is declining alot, its just the truth and super obvious.miguel13-11-2026
- None of those victories stand, so there's that,wrsty13-11-2026
- No surprise there; it is British Sycling, yes, with an S
Rafionain-Glas12-11-2026 - I like Del Toro but he's not on the level of Jonas, by a large margin.awp12-11-2026
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