'The big Pogacar show': Vuelta rivals brace for first major GC contest

After stage 3 was cancelled due to a hailstorm, stage 4 presents the first major mountain test of the 2026 Vuelta a España, with race leader Tadej Pogačar anticipated by the competition to make a statement in his quest to complete the Grand Tour set. 

With over 3,000m of elevation gain packed into just 104.8km around Andorra, the climbing begins from the get-go with the Port d’Envalira coming almost immediately. 

“Today will be the big Pogačar show,” Jarno Widar (Lotto-Intermarché) told media including Het Laatste Nieuws. 

“I have just one plan: go all-out. I expect UAE to set a high pace, just like in the Tour. It will be a case of hanging on, and eventually, it will be every man for himself.”

Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) also anticipates an aggressive race, with a huge amount of climbing packed into a relatively short stage. He expects it will provide a real indication of the GC contenders’ form, as he told media including Domestique.

“I think today is going to be like a junior race. We will just go full gas. I'm looking forward to just testing the legs. I think today we'll know if the GC is possible or not. I think we'll get a lot of answers, and I hope the answers are good.”

Asked when Pogačar might attack, Johannessen suggested the race leader could make the difference at any moment. 

“I think if he would just attack from the start, he would still win. So, I think he can go wherever. I'll just ride my own race.”

Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), who admitted in his pre-Vuelta press conference that he is relishing the challenge of facing Pogačar, also expects the world champion to make a move on the stage.

“We have three serious climbs today; it’s going to be an important day for the general classification. I need to stay with the GC contenders to secure my position,” Carapaz told the media, including Domestique. “Tadej Pogačar’s wheel will be the one to follow.”

Meanwhile, Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek) expects the decisive moment to come on the Collada de Beixalís, 45.5km from the finish, as a possible launchpad for Pogačar

“The most likely scenario is that Pogačar makes his move on the Beixalís; I don't see why he would wait," Nys said to media including Het Nieuwsblad.

"He could really make a statement today on such a tough stage. It could well happen right there, and that would be the end of the race for a lot of guys."