"It's going to be a ride that really gets under your skin" - Wout van Aert eyes Vuelta a Espana stage win and red jersey
CyclingSunday, 23 August 2026 at 14:00
Wout van Aert is primed and ready to launch a bid for the 2026 Vuelta a Espana red jersey. If the Visma | Lease a Bike leader is to pull back a nine second deficit to make up on leader Tadej Pogacar on stage 2.
Sunday's stage offers a chance for many in the peloton in a 214 kilometer stage, featuring 2600 meters of climbing and an uphill finish. According to the Belgian, it's a route that appeals to him.
However, the prospect of putting time into Pogacar remains a tall task, while other contenders include Mads Pedersen in a flying opening weekend.
"It's going to be a ride that really gets under your skin. They aren't the steepest climbs, mind you. This should be a ride that suits my capabilities," Van Aert told media before the stage.
Visma targeting stage win with Wout van Aert
With Matthew Brennan and Christophe Laporte also options for the Dutch team in the finale, Van Aert hinted that they could get involved in the intermediate sprint, which also offers bonus seconds for those who cross first. For the Paris Roubaix winner, it's all about the stage as he bullishly discussed his chances.
"We have studied the finish well. The last 5 kilometers are very tough. It will be fast. I expect a sprint with really strong men.
"If we can get involved, we will do so. But our first goal is to win the stage with the team. We are starting with a clear plan."
Tadej Pogacar in the red jersey
Mads Pedersen's blunt assessment of Pogacar's stage 2 chances
Another top competitor is Mads Pedersen. The Lidl-Trek leader comes in search of stage wins and will likely have penciled in his calendar for quite some time. Asked if he thinks Pogacar was a rival for the win, he didn't shy away from offering a blunt assessment.
"What a stupid question. 100 percent sure," Pedersen joked.
With Pogacar already in red and one for one in stage wins, the Slovenian is clearly in form and would undoubtedly be among the contenders if he was to race for the win. As the race leaves Monaco, the gradual meander to Granada begins for the peloton.
Pogacar said: “It’s going to be tough. Tomorrow, I think, there are some guys who are close in time and can do a breakaway or sprint for bonus seconds, so it’s going to be a fight for the red jersey and we can see some shuffle in the GC tomorrow.”
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.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- No problem.PogiSloFans23-08-2026
- If WVA had won there would be no complaints. Visma need to stop complaining and get the tactics rightabstractengineer23-08-2026
- you certainly delivered!Ketterechts23-08-2026
- Hey frieders3, the skin on the inner surface of my hands is soft and gentle. My smooth palms ensure a comfortable, caring touch that my wife appreciates during hand-holding or intimacy. Capish?PogiSloFans23-08-2026
- The Limburger cheese: Originating in the historical Duchy of Limburg, this classic cow's milk cheese smells heavily of Trumps sweaty sock feet but has a mild, salty flavor. Bon appetit americans.PogiSloFans23-08-2026
- 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
Loading
Write a comment