“I really wished he would win today" - Tadej Pogacar wanted Joshua Tarling to win Vuelta opener as he takes red jersey
CyclingSunday, 23 August 2026 at 09:55
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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- 3-4 at best now and vastly declining which is the obvious concern i have here. Its clearly thats something is not right also they need to start buying superdomestiques for jonas so he can have some help going up against uae to just have 1% chance. but visma seem to be broke lets see if they can or not, lets hope they get some money coming inmiguel23-08-2026
- Hi @Ketterechts, I'm here. Hello, how are you? I'm great. Now here's may take: Those who say the Vuelta is already over have an IQ of room temp. Everything was already over in February 2024 when I announced the birth of the GOAT in all sports, not just cycling. If you're bored, don't watch. I'd rather watch Pogi than Real vs Barca. I'd rather watch Pogi than Messi or Ronaldo. The rest of you can cry, what else can I tell you? Have a nice day.PogiSloFans23-08-2026
- Hey Colnago-fan, those who say the Vuelta is already over have an IQ of room temp. Everything was already over in February 2024 when I announced the birth of the GOAT in all sports not just cycling. If you're bored, don't watch. I'd rather watch Pogi than Real vs Barca. The rest of you can cry, what else can I tell you?PogiSloFans23-08-2026
- Have faith Ruben. Something will turn up.Cyclingsbestfan23-08-2026
- Pogacar's versatility is like combining a defender, midfielder and striker into one player.Pogboom23-08-2026
- He clearly wanted pink for the whole Giro. I agree we could see him trying the same thing here. But that carries risk so I doubt it's a priority. Tadej will definitely go for the stage today though.Renz23-08-2026
- Every track is designed for Pogi! And you whine. ;)MajorPayne23-08-2026
- i can‘t wait for someone specific to celebrate this article here … what‘s taking him so long?Ketterechts23-08-2026
- Yes RidesHills, you're right, but his season 2025 was also "crazy." Last year he was the first cyclist in history that was on the podium in all 5 Monuments in one season (1'st-Flanders, LBL and Lombardy, 2'nd-Paris Roubaix and 3'rd MSR). He also won his second WC, back to back, and the European Championships.PogiSloFans23-08-2026
- Yes, Pogi already crushed the best cycling season of all time...in 2024, but this year he will surpass that... we can say he will break his own record.PogiSloFans23-08-2026
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