Tadej Pogačar dominates to win 4th stage of Spanish Vuelta and take control of the Grand Tour race

Andorran La Vela, Andorra (AP) — Defending Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar secured a significant advantage in the Spanish Vuelta on Tuesday by winning the fourth mountainous stage. Finishing 2 minutes, 39 seconds ahead of competitors, the Slovenian athlete extended his lead to 3 minutes, 21 seconds over Primoz Roglic. Enric Mas and the remaining 11 riders followed closely behind in the general classification.

This victory marked Pogačar's second triumph at the Vuelta this year, following his second-place finish in the previous stage.

The 105-kilometer route traversed the Andorran mountains and included four climbs, providing an ideal battleground for top performers. Due to hail near the stage's end in France, the third stage was canceled, and no winner was declared. Tuesday's stage, however, provided a perfect stage for Pogačar to assert his dominance.

With a return to Spain, the race will continue on Wednesday, presenting a hilly 173.3-kilometer route starting in Catalonia and culminating in a sprint finish in the small city of Roquetes, northeastern Spain. Pogačar entered the start line with a nine-second lead over Wout van Aert and a one-second edge over Matthew Brennan in third place.

Hailing from UAE Team Emirates, the 31-year-old Slovenian achieved his Grand Tour debut in the Vuelta back in 2019, securing three stage wins and a third place finish. However, he had yet to compete in the Vuelta again until this year. Pogačar's remarkable Tour de France win at the age of 25, securing his third consecutive title and a record-tying fifth overall, has him on track to become the ninth male rider to conquer all three Grand Tours. The Vuelta will conclude in Granada, Spain, on September 13.