Tadej Pogačar secured his third stage victory in six days at the Vuelta a España on Thursday, yet a surprising admission regarding his team’s initial race plan revealed how the day could have unfolded differently for the early breakaway, according to cycling reports.
Pogačar Claims Third Victory as Early Breakaway Falters
The Slovenian world champion appeared poised for another solo triumph in the Vuelta a España, but Movistar Team rider Enric Mas bridged the gap in the final moments of the stage, according to race accounts. Pogačar ultimately proved the fastest in the closing sprint, crossing the finish line alongside Mas to take his third win of the race’s opening week. UAE Team Emirates controlled the pace at the front of the peloton to keep the early escapees within striking distance, though world cycling outlets noted that this was not the original intention of the squad.
UAE Team Emirates’ Unintended Control
According to Pogačar’s post-stage remarks cited in race coverage, UAE Team Emirates had intended to let the day’s breakaway ride away cleanly from the start. However, because the primary escape group took two hours to form, the peloton’s dynamic shifted. The delayed formation meant Pogačar’s teammates only had to control the race for half a day before executing their chase and launching him toward the stage win.
Missed Opportunity for Belgian Breakaway Riders
For the Belgian riders in the early escape, the prolonged formation of the breakaway proved costly. Other Belgian riders, including Lars Craps and Ramses Debruyne, also saw their chances vanish as the gap closed. Race analysis indicated that had the breakaway formed much earlier, the escapees might have maintained a decisive buffer over the chasing bunch.
Stage Outlook and Race Standings
After six stages of the Vuelta a España, Pogačar and Visma-Lease a Bike rider Matthew Brennan remain the only stage winners of the race thus far. The race schedule continues with a demanding mountain stage on Friday, followed by another opportunity for sprinters on Saturday, leaving little room for other contenders to alter the current dominance.
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