50 kilometres solo and a win: Pogačar turns Andorra into a masterclass

Tadej Pogačar has made the first big strike at La Vuelta a España 2026. The Slovenian attacked about 50 kilometers from the finish on the steepest slopes of the Collada de Beixalís and from there completed a long solo exhibition to Andorra la Vella. No one could get close, and he crossed the finish line with 2:39 minutes over a group of favorites in which Jarno Widar, at just 20 years old and in his first Grand Tour, surprised by finishing second ahead of Felix Gall.

Pogačar attacks 50 km from the finish and seals stage 4 of La Vuelta in Andorra

After the hailstorm forced the cancellation of the previous day, La Vuelta found its first major mountain test in Andorra. Just 104.8 kilometers and four climbs, but enough to turn the fourth stage into the first display of strength from Pogačar.

The race started directly climbing the Port d'Envalira, in a frantic first hour where Visma-Lease a Bike tried to move the race early on. Wout van Aert, Matthew Brennan, and Ben Tulett formed part of a large front group, while UAE Team Emirates-XRG took care of keeping the situation under control.

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The pace began to select from the start. Cian Uijtdebroeks lost contact very early, and other riders with significant aspirations also began to suffer even before reaching the summit of Envalira.

The break was finally neutralized during the long descent, and everything started again at the foot of the Collada de Beixalís, the hardest climb of the day, with about seven kilometers at 8.5% and ramps of up to 16%.

There came the definitive move.

Jay Vine accelerated first for UAE, and shortly after, Pogačar launched his attack approximately 50 kilometers from the finish. Felix Gall managed to follow him for a few moments but quickly had to give way.

The leader was left alone, and from that moment the stage became a long-distance chase.

No one could get close to Pogačar

Pogačar topped Beixalís with about 1:40 advantage and continued to extend his lead on the way to the Coll d'Ordino.

Behind, the main favorites began to race practically for the remaining positions. Felix Gall and Oscar Onley were the first to open gaps, while Primož Roglič, Sepp Kuss, and Enric Mas managed to catch up later.

Pogačar's pace was completely different. At the Coll d'Ordino, 10 kilometers at 7%, his advantage reached nearly three minutes while he even ascended on the big chainring at times.

Behind, attacks and regroupings followed. Gall, Onley, Roglič, Kuss, and Mas initially formed the strongest group, while Jarno Widar held on alongside Richard Carapaz and Mattias Skjelmose and later managed to return to the fight for second place.

The last opportunity to change the situation came at the Alto de La Comella, but the victory had long been decided. Pogačar started the climb with more than three minutes to spare and allowed himself to manage the effort before facing the final descent to Andorra la Vella.

Jarno Widar surprises everyone and finishes second

The real battle was behind. Skjelmose eventually gave way at La Comella, and Carapaz could not stay with the best after an acceleration from Roglič. Widar, however, managed to overcome the last climb within the group chasing Pogačar.

The Slovenian finally crossed the finish line in 2:40:35, completing approximately half the stage completely alone and achieving his second victory in four days after also winning the opening time trial in Monaco.

The pursuers arrived 2 minutes and 39 seconds later.

And there appeared one of the big surprises of the day. Widar launched a powerful sprint and managed to surpass Felix Gall to finish second. The Belgian, at just 20 years old, thus signs a huge result in his debut in a Grand Tour after having held on throughout the day alongside some of the best climbers in the peloton.

Gall finished third, followed by Oscar Onley, Sepp Kuss, Enric Mas, and Primož Roglič, all with the same time as Widar.

With this display, Pogačar completely transforms the classification of La Vuelta and leaves Andorra with a lead of over three minutes over his main pursuers, such as Roglič, Mas, Kuss, or Onley.

Top 10 – Stage 4 of La Vuelta 2026

1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – 2:40:35
2. Jarno Widar (Lotto-Intermarché) – +2:39
3. Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM) – +2:39
4. Oscar Onley (Netcompany INEOS) – +2:39
5. Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) – +2:39
6. Enric Mas (Movistar Team) – +2:39
7. Primož Roglič (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) – +2:39
8. Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) – +2:57
9. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) – +3:17
10. Gregor Mühlberger (Decathlon CMA CGM) – +3:17

Top 10 – General classification of La Vuelta 2026

1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – 7:38:59
2. Primož Roglič (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) – +3:21
3. Enric Mas (Movistar Team) – +3:32
4. Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) – +3:44
5. Oscar Onley (Netcompany INEOS) – +3:45
6. Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) – +3:50
7. Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM) – +3:57
8. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) – +4:06
9. Jarno Widar (Lotto-Intermarché) – +4:06
10. Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – +4:11