Tadej Pogacar pushed the pace on the gravel sections of Puerto El Bartolo, after which the exceptional Slovenian rider secured his third stage victory at the 81st Vuelta a España. The Tour of Spain is increasingly becoming a showcase of the road cycling world champion’s dominance. On the sixth stage, covering 177.4 kilometres, Pogacar claimed victory in a sprint against the Spaniard Enric Mas, having launched an attack on the final climb.
On the treacherous descent of Puerto Bartolo, Pogacar had a scare to deal with. With 19 kilometres to go, the cycling star lost control and veered slightly off the road. However, Pogacar was able to recover quickly from the mishap. He then headed into the home straight alongside Mas.
A start-to-finish victory like Rominger’s?
The five-time Tour de France winner thus extended his lead in the general classification over Mas, who is now in second place, to 3 minutes and 34 seconds. Pogacar could become the first professional cyclist since Tony Rominger in 1994 to claim a start-to-finish victory in the Vuelta.
Of the three Grand Tours, Pogacar has yet to secure an overall victory in the Vuelta a España. He last took part in the Vuelta in 2019, aged 19, and even then he won three stages.
Pogacar now has three stage wins to his name once again, having already won the individual time trial in Monaco and the mountain stage to Andorra.
Pogacar is faster in the sprint
At one point, a large breakaway group had built up a comfortable lead of several minutes. On the penultimate climb, however, Pogacar sent his domestiques to the front, and the 27-year-old took care of the rest himself. Although Mas managed to catch up with Pogacar again, the Spaniard stood no chance in the sprint.
Pogacar could well secure his next victory as early as Friday. The seventh stage, covering 149.8 kilometres from Vall d'Alba to Aramon Valdelinares, concludes with a first-category mountain finish.
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