Tadej Pogacar tightened his grip on the Vuelta a España on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, launching a 50-kilometer solo attack around Andorra-la-Vieille to capture the fourth stage and extend his overall lead.
A Decisive Attack on the Col de Beixalis
The race blew apart 50.3 kilometers from the finish line during the ascent of the col de Beixalis. Spurred by teammate work from his UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad, Pogacar accelerated away from the pack. Only Austria’s Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM) initially attempted to match the Slovenian star’s tempo before dropping back. From that point onward, the 27-year-old rode alone to the finish in Andorra, leaving the rest of the field scrambling behind him.
Pogacar’s commanding ride yielded a winning margin of 2 minutes and 39 seconds over the chasing group. Belgium’s Jarno Widar (Lotto-Intermarché) took second place on the stage, while Gall finished third. The victory marks Pogacar’s second stage win of this year’s Spanish grand tour, following his triumph in the opening time trial in Monaco.
Extending Control Over the General Classification
With this Pyrenean masterclass, Pogacar has blown open the overall standings. He now holds a cushion of more than three minutes over his nearest rivals on the podium, Primoz Roglic (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) and Enric Mas (Movistar).
Beyond the red leader’s jersey, Pogacar’s sweep of the day’s honors included capturing the green jersey for the points classification, the blue polka-dot jersey as the leader of the mountains classification, and the day’s most combative rider award. Oscar Onley (Netcompany Ineos) maintained his hold on the white jersey as the race’s best young rider.
What Lies Ahead in Spain
The race shifts terrain on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, as the peloton tackles the fifth stage over 104.8 kilometers of accidented terrain running from Falset to Roquetes south of Tarragone. The route marks the Vuelta’s proper arrival on mainland Spanish soil, offering the sprinters and escape artists a chance to test their legs following the brutal mountain action in the principality.
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