"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
Cycling
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.
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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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