Pogacar wins Monaco time trial as Vuelta bid begins in style

23 Aug 2026 02:00AM MONTE CARLO, Aug 22 : The world's fastest bike rider Tadej Pogacar dazzled in Monaco by winning the first stage of the 81st Vuelta a Espana on Saturday two months after the roar of Formula 1 cars echoed around the windy streets of the principality. The Slovenian, bidding to win the only Grand Tour to elude him, broke the heart of Britain's Ethan Hayter to win the 9.4km individual time trial by 0.09 seconds.Rolling down the start ramp out of Monte Carlo's glitzy casino, Pogacar tore around the narrow and twisty course and made up time late on to snatch the victory.Britain's Josh Tarling finished an emotional third fastest having decided to race eight days after the death of his brother Fin at the Volta a Portugal. Source: Reuters