"I was nervous all day, to be honest" - Ethan Hayter's hot-seat heartbreak as Tadej Pogacar denies him Vuelta a España glory in finale
Cycling
Ethan Hayter was denied by one of the narrowest margins seen in a Grand Tour time trial in recent years as the British National Champion was bested by Tadej Pogacar on the opening day of the 2026 Vuelta a España, losing out by just 0.09 seconds as the Slovenian took the red jersey.
A technical 9.4-kilometer race against the clock guaranteed small gaps, but most would not have foreseen a nail-biting finale as three riders all traded the lead in the finale. First, Joshua Tarling's remarkable ride just over a week after the tragic passing of his brother Finlay Tarling.
The INEOS rider was in the hot seat as overall favourite Tadej Pogacar took the start, but as the Slovenian gave his all - while also admitting to rooting for the Welsh rider to take the victory - Ethan Hayter surged into the provisional lead.
Ultimately finishing four seconds ahead of Tarling, the Soudal Quick-Step rider was three seconds faster than Pogacar at the intermediate time check and in prime position to take the first red jersey of 2026.
“The feeling was really good,” Hayter told Sporza. “I was nervous all day, to be honest. But I started strongly and I could feel that I was going well.”
Hayter puts in huge ride to take provisional lead
“I didn’t have time to look at my computer. I just went full gas and recovered whenever I could. I was really happy with it.”
However, a soaring finale from Pogacar saw him turn around the defecit and scrape over the line in the green. Afterwards, Pogacar admitted he turned up the pace when he heard it was Hayter - and not Tarling - in the lead.
Afterwards, Hayter analysed where the difference was made as he highlighted his weight disadvantage against other riders on a time trial course.
“Compared to the big time trial guys, I’m about ten kilograms lighter,” he added. “So it can help when there are a lot of difficult corners. Maybe that made the difference.”
0.09 seconds away from the Red Jersey. 💔#TheWolfpack | @lavuelta pic.twitter.com/RbWyMK8UGg
— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) August 22, 2026
Heartbreak as Hayter misses out on stage win
Sitting in the hot seat, cameras caught the moment Hayter realised the stage win had been lost. Capturing the devastation, the video shows him visibly disappointed as he put his head in his hands upon confirmation of the result.
Second place on the day, Hayter is second overall and level on time with Pogacar in the red jersey battle. With a punchy route and uphill finish on Sunday's stage 2, it's likely that multiple attackers will circle in a bid to take the race lead.
Read also
Pogacar faces a fight to retain the jersey - should he wish to hold it all the way to Granada next month. However, losing the jersey on stage 2 wouldn't spell alarm bells for the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader, who would benefit from a period out of the jersey by avoiding the additional media and logistical duties that come with leading the race.
In the past, the Slovenian and many other general classification favourites have admitted to tactically surrendering the jersey to a non GC favourite in an energy and stress-saving move.
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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