A statement in the Andorran mountains
Tadej Pogacar won the fourth stage of the Vuelta this afternoon in Andorra la Vella. The Slovenian attacked about 50 kilometres from the finish, rode alone to the line and crossed it 2 minutes and 39 seconds clear of the chasers. His lead stretched beyond three minutes in the closing kilometres before easing back slightly.
The stage was only around 100 kilometres long, but it packed in four climbs, a route built for the contenders. The UAE Team Emirates rider never let his rivals back in. It was his second stage win of this Vuelta, after his victory on day one.
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The general classification is already turning
Before the start, Pogacar led Wout van Aert by just 9 seconds, with Matthew Brennan a second further back. The overall standings now look very different. The Slovenian leads Primoz Roglic by 3 minutes and 21 seconds. Enric Mas is 11 seconds behind the Red Bull rider, which puts him 3 minutes and 32 seconds off the red jersey.
This stage came a day after a blank day. The third stage was neutralised about 15 kilometres from the finish because of hail near Font-Romeu. No winner was declared, with riders taking shelter in shops on the roadside.
A historic treble is now in sight
Pogacar first made his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta in 2019. He won three stages, finished third overall, then disappeared from the Spanish race until this edition. In July, he landed a third straight Tour de France title and his fifth in total, matching the record. His 2024 Giro completed the set.
If he makes it to Granada on 13 September, he will become the ninth rider in history to win all three Grand Tours. Next up is a 173-kilometre stage from Catalonia, with a rolling finish but a sprint expected in Roquetes.
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