Race news

The gaps between the GC favourites after Tadej Pogacar sets the benchmark in the Vuelta opening TT

Tadej Pogačar landed the first blow among the main GC contenders, setting the fastest time of 10:57 and immediately opening up gaps to his rivals. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader’s closest GC rival was his own teammate João Almeida, who finished 18 seconds down.

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Pogacar Vuelta 2026
Cor Vos

Primož Roglič was the next of the established Grand Tour contenders at 22 seconds, with Carlos Rodríguez at 27 seconds and Mattias Skjelmose at 29.

Further back, Richard Carapaz and Enric Mas both lost 33 seconds, while Visma | Lease a Bike duo Jørgen Nordhagen and Ben Tulett finished 35 and 36 seconds behind Pogačar respectively.

The differences remain relatively contained, with Santiago Buitrago at 38 seconds, Sepp Kuss at 45 seconds and Felix Gall at 46 seconds. Oscar Onley conceded 50 seconds, while Cian Uijtdebroeks and Jarno Widar finished 54 and 55 seconds down.

Mikel Landa suffered the biggest loss among the main GC names in this group, finishing 1:14 behind Pogačar.

Rider Team Timegap

Tadej Pogačar

UAE Team Emirates-XRG

João Almeida

UAE Team Emirates-XRG

+0.18

Primož Roglič

Red Bul-Bora-Hansgrohe

+0.22

Carlos Rodríguez

Netcompany-Ineos

+0.27

Tobias Halland Johannessen

Uno-X Mobility

+0.28

Mattias Skjelmose

Lidl-Trek

+0.29

Enric Mas

Movistar

+0.33

Richard Carapaz

EF Education-EasyPost

+0.33

Jørgen Nordhagen

Team Visma | Lease a Bike

+0.35

Ben Tulett

Team Visma | Lease a Bike

+0.36

Santiago Buitrago

Bahrain Victorious

+0.38

Sepp Kuss

Team Visma | Lease a Bike

+0.45

Felix Gall

Decathlon CMA CGM Team

+0.46

Oscar Onley

Netcompany-Ineos

+0.50

Cian Uijtdebroeks

Movistar

+0.54

Jarno Widar

Lotto-Intermarché

+0.55

Mikel Landa

Soudal Quick Step

+1.14

Tadej Pogacar - 2025 - Tour de France stage 12

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