TADEJ POGACAR CELEBRATES VICTORY IN MONACO TIME TRIAL AS HE BEGINS HIS VUELTA A ESPANA CAMPAIGN
Tadej Pogacar made a strong statement in his pursuit of the Vuelta a Espana title, clinching victory in the opening time trial held in Monaco on Saturday. Just over two months after the thrill of Formula One races resonated through the Monaco streets, the Slovenian cyclist showcased his exceptional talent, relying solely on his physical prowess to achieve success.
Seven years after his last participation in the Spanish race, Pogacar, a member of the UAE Emirates team, marked his return by immediately establishing himself as a dominant force. Having previously secured five Tour de France titles and a Giro d’Italia, his aim is clear: to claim the prestigious Vuelta a Espana title.
In the 9.4 km time trial, many spectators anticipated a potential triumph from Britain’s Ethan Hayter, who led for a significant portion and seemed poised to don the red jersey at the start of the 81st Vuelta. However, Pogacar, who started last among the 184 competitors, had different plans. Eager to prove his mettle, he launched from the glitzy Monte Carlo casino’s ramp, determined to capture the moment.
Despite entering the contest after recently dominating the Tour de France, Pogacar did face some challenges regarding his timing initially. Nevertheless, he executed a powerful finale, surging through the final curves to secure his 20th triumph of the racing season.
In an emotionally charged moment, Britain’s Josh Tarling, who finished third, competed only eight days after the tragic passing of his 19-year-old brother, Fin, during the Volta a Portugal. Geraint Thomas, director for Tarling’s Netcompany-Ineos team, praised his athlete’s resilience: “It’s unimaginable what he has gone through in the last week, and to produce a performance like that shows his class. We aim to support him as best we can and maintain normalcy around him.”
The time trial in Monaco marked a significant non-Spanish start for the Vuelta, which now counts as its seventh location outside Spain and the fourth in the last five years. This initiative underlines the growing global appeal of the event. With Pogacar’s aspirations high, he could potentially become only the ninth cyclist in history to secure victories across all three Grand Tours if he maintains his current form.
As the race progresses, the challenges will intensify. The upcoming stage will see competitors tackle a more demanding route, a hilly 214-kilometer stretch that leads from Monaco to Manosque, setting the stage for an exhilarating continuation of the Vuelta a Espana.
