“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
CyclingSaturday, 22 August 2026 at 20:04
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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- @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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