Pogacar, leader from the outset in the Vuelta by nine hundredths

Welcome to the Vuelta, welcome to Pogacar’s new world.

The time trial entourage repeated non-stop. Two police motorcycles as an advance party (one from the Guardia Civil and one from the Principality’s Gendarmerie), a cyclist and two broom wagons, one from the team with the rider’s sign and another from the organization. And as many fences as cheers everywhere, as the streets of Monte Carlo were packed, fans —in addition to the endless vacationers— curious about a spectacle that for once was on two wheels. And that, the show of the opening ceremony, arrived at the last minute and by the work and art of Pogacar, who started second to last and finished first, nine narrow hundredths of a second ahead of Britain’s Ethan Hayter (Soudal). Another exercise in superiority that ended with his entire team on their feet —riders and staff— applauding him, while he shrugged shyly. But nothing and no one can hide the god of cycling, leader of the Vuelta to start.

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The intermittent rains of recent days gave way to scorching sun as soon as the day broke, mugginess mixed with early morning sweat. The riders certainly experienced it, enjoying the closed circuit for cyclists only from midday, as well as for those fans who wanted to feel like professionals for a day, in addition to authorized vehicles. The 9.4-kilometer route, entirely delimited in the Principality and with barely a 59-meter elevation gain, was very technical, full of winding curves, and also dangerous. Hence, everyone repeated it several times, from the initial ramp of the Casino to the Formula 1 finish line. It was about deciphering where to brake or accelerate, how to take certain turns. But none could match the god on wheels.

After lunch, the procession of cyclists and their effort began, clashing with the dolce vita of wealthy passers-by, dressed in breathtaking outfits, due to their high price, as they were nothing less than Carolina Herrera, Loro Piana, and Ermenegildo Zegna. An example of the pomp, for instance, was seen on the beach, where renting an umbrella and two hammocks —with the Gucci brand clearly visible, of course— cost 500 euros per day. A parade of brands and models, unparalleled opulence, always with Porsches, Lamborghinis, and Ferraris adorning the asphalt. A picturesque postcard to which were added the hills of Beausoleil —French territory that borders Monaco, to the point that there are hotels in France and their streets in Monte Carlo— and its hanging houses, views of the irresistible French Riviera, pure spectacle. But in that, no one can beat Pogacar.

Diego Uriarte, from Kern Pharma and future Movistar rider, opened the curtain, fireworks for what was to come. And although there were riders who seemed to make the clock tremble, such as the Frenchman Jordan Labrosse (Decathlon) or the Briton Matthew Brennan (Visma), the excitement was with the last cyclists to take the stage, as each team chose the order of its riders and almost all opted to put their main contenders at the end —not so EF with Carapaz or Lidl with Skjelmose—, when the August heatwave and the sun no longer stung so much, when they already had the references. Meanwhile, Pogi warmed up on the roller, well refreshed by vapor-emitting fans, concentrated, sunglasses on and head down, also an ice vest, rhythm and more rhythm because, as he warned, he wanted to win at home. And, of course, he didn’t fail.

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The reference time went from hand to hand, although there was a dominance of the British, track cyclists by nature, who could challenge favorites like Van Aert or Pedersen. Such was the case of Thornley (Bora), Tarling (Ineos), who raced in homage to his brother, who died in the recent Volta a Portugal, and, above all, Hayter. But in cycling, the law is dictated by Pogacar, and so it was explained again in Monte Carlo.

Seated, stylish, with frantic pedal strokes, Pogacar raised his arms by 9 hundredths of a second. Just enough to underline himself as the best of the best, to be able to wear the red jersey from start to finish.

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General Classification

poscyclist	Team	Time
1 Tadej Pogacar	UAD	10:57
2 Ethan Hayter	SOQ	+00:00
3 Josh Tarling	IGD	+00:04
4 Callum Thornley	RBH	+00:05
5 Christophe Laporte	TVL	+00:06
6 Léo Bisiaux	DCD	+00:08
7 Oscar Chamberlain	DCD	+00:09
8 Wout van Aert	TVL	+00:09
9 Finn Fisher-Black	RBH	+00:10
10 Arthur Kluckers	TUD	+00:11

poscyclist	Team	Time
1 Tadej Pogacar	UAD	10:57
2 Ethan Hayter	SOQ	+00:00
3 Josh Tarling	IGD	+00:04
4 Callum Thornley	RBH	+00:05
5 Christophe Laporte	TVL	+00:06
6 Léo Bisiaux	DCD	+00:08
7 Oscar Chamberlain	DCD	+00:09
8 Wout van Aert	TVL	+00:09
9 Finn Fisher-Black	RBH	+00:10
10 Arthur Kluckers	TUD	+00:11

View full classification