“It wasn’t worthy of a Grand Tour” – Visma’s Head of Performance hits out at Vuelta TT course after Wout van Aert falls short of red jersey dream
Cycling
Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s Head of Performance Mathieu Heijboer questioned whether the opening time trial of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana was suitable for a Grand Tour after Wout van Aert missed out on the first red jersey in Monaco. The Belgian finished eighth, nine seconds behind stage winner Tadej Pogacar, after losing ground through the closing section of the technical 9.4-kilometre course.
Pogacar beat Ethan Hayter by just 0.09 seconds to claim the stage and overall lead, while Josh Tarling finished third. Christophe Laporte was the best-placed Visma rider in fifth, three seconds ahead of Van Aert.
Visma performance chief questions Monaco course
Starting outside the Monte Carlo Casino and finishing on Boulevard Albert I, the route followed roads familiar from the Monaco Grand Prix and included a succession of tight corners.
Heijboer believed the layout created too much potential for problems on the opening day of a Grand Tour. “It wasn’t worthy of a Grand Tour,” he told reporters post-stage. “If somebody has a problem or has to brake particularly hard, it becomes a complete fiasco. We can be glad that everything went well.”
The technical demands also appeared to influence Van Aert’s result. He had been three seconds behind the leading time at the intermediate checkpoint but lost further ground over the remainder of the course.
“Reasonably satisfied. We were aiming for the win, but we didn’t manage it, so naturally we’re not delighted,” Heijboer said. “Wout said that he felt very good and found it difficult to believe that he had still lost so much time in the final section.”
Red jersey still within reach for Van Aert
Heijboer suggested Van Aert’s reluctance to take excessive risks may have prevented him from challenging for victory, but remained optimistic about the following stage.
“We know he isn’t someone who takes extreme risks, but perhaps that was what he needed to do to win. This gives us opportunities tomorrow, though, with a finish that should suit him very well.”
Stage 2 covers 214.3 kilometres from Monaco to Manosque, where the 10-second bonus available to the stage winner could bring Van Aert back into contention for the red jersey, depending on the results of Pogacar and the other riders ahead of him.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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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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