During the fourth stage of the Vuelta a España, race leader Tadej Pogačar launched a solo attack 50 kilometers from the finish line in Andorra. The UAE rider dropped his rivals on the first major mountain stage of the race, crossing the finish line 2 minutes and 38 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher to extend his general classification lead.
A Historic Mountain Offensive in Andorra
The fourth stage presented riders with a test through the Pyrenees, covering three first-category climbs and one third-category ascent in barely 100 kilometers of route. Conditions on the road featured temperatures slightly exceeding 20 degrees Celsius under a shining sun, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown after severe weather forced the cancellation of the race’s third stage.
As the peloton hit the midpoint of the stage on the ascent of the Collada de Beixalís, Pogačar accelerated off the front. Only Felix Gall initially managed to follow the Slovenian’s attack, but the rider quickly began to fade. By the summit, with Gall neutralized by the chasing group, Pogačar had built a lead of more than a minute and a half over the pursuers led by Richard Carapaz.
Extending Dominance Across the General Classification
Pogačar’s advantage continued to swell over every subsequent mountain pass as he raced alone. Behind him, a tactical battle unfolded. Gall launched another move on the climb up Ordino, drawing a response from Oscar Onley. Primoz Roglic, Enric Mas, and Sepp Kuss eventually bridged across to form a chasing group before the summit.
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Additional reinforcements joined the pursuit on the Alto de la Comella, including Gregor Mühlberger and Jarno Widar, allowing the chase group to claw back some time. However, the damage was already done. Pogačar completed his solo masterclass to capture his first victory in the race as general classification leader while wearing the leader’s red jersey.
Unprecedented Longevity in Grand Tour Attacks
The 50-kilometer solo effort stands as Pogačar’s greatest attack in a Grand Tour. While the rider has previously launched long-range moves—such as his 43-kilometer winning attack on stage six of the Tour de France to Gavarnie-Gèdre, a 39-kilometer winning strike on stage 20 of the 2019 Vuelta to Plataforma de Gredos, and a 34-kilometer solo run to Bassano del Grappa in the 2024 Giro d’Italia—the exhibition in Andorra eclipsed them all.
With the stage victory secured, Pogačar commands the general classification, the mountains classification, and the points classification. He holds a 3-minute and 21-second lead over his compatriot Primoz Roglic in the overall standings, effectively placing the red jersey out of reach for the peloton barring unforeseen disaster.
What Comes Next in the Vuelta a España
The race continues, offering the peloton a chance to regroup following the Pyrenean GC shake-up.
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