{"id":749324,"date":"2026-08-25T14:46:24","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T14:46:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/749324\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T14:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T14:46:24","slug":"vuelta-a-espana-stage-4-live-tadej-pogacar-attacks-50km-from-the-finish-of-opening-mountain-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/749324\/","title":{"rendered":"Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 4 LIVE: Tadej Poga\u010dar attacks 50km from the finish of opening mountain stage"},"content":{"rendered":"

2026-08-25T14:43:52.552Z<\/p>\n

Gall now pushing it.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:43:23.203Z<\/p>\n

The Belgian isn’t out front for long, though, and now Decathlon are massed on the front once again.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:41:40.402Z<\/p>\n

Alpecin-Premier Tech rider Ramses Debruyne has attacked in the chase. He made our list of the promising youngsters to watch at this year’s Vuelta.<\/p>\n

Cycling’s next generation heads to Spain \u2013 Young riders to watch at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Luke\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:40:08.533Z<\/p>\n

Are circuit races the answer to greater safety? Visma team boss Plugge suggests major changes as he calls for UCI action following death of Finlay Tarling<\/a><\/p>\n

Dutchman says ‘if cycling from A to B over public roads over 200 kilometers is no longer feasible, then we must ride laps’<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:39:56.485Z<\/p>\n

Poga\u010dar solo at the front.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ANDORRA\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:39:03.285Z<\/p>\n

1:50 for Poga\u010dar as he starts the Coll d’Ordino.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:36:13.617Z<\/p>\n

Around 17 riders in the chase group.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:34:47.333Z
\n39km to go<\/p>\n

1:40 now.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:33:31.781Z<\/p>\n

Poga\u010dar now at the bottom of the descent. The Col de Ordino (9.9km at 7%) is next up.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:30:03.498Z<\/p>\n

Over the top and Carapaz jumps ahead to grab six mountain points in second place.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:29:12.482Z
\n45km to go<\/p>\n

EF working in the chase group 1:35 down on Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:24:57.463Z<\/p>\n

Enric Mas, Jay Vine also in the chase group.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:24:38.045Z<\/p>\n

‘I don’t have a good explanation’ \u2013 Ethan Hayter and Mats Wenzel perplexed at decision to take away points after Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 3 cancellation<\/a><\/p>\n

Briton and Luxembourger would’ve raced into points and mountain classification leads but for UCI commissaires’ decision<\/p>\n

\n

\"ANDORRA\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:24:08.828Z<\/p>\n

Poga\u010dar has made a minute in 3km.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:22:55.193Z
\n48km to go<\/p>\n

Gall is back with the chasers.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:21:23.993Z<\/p>\n

The group further back contains, among others, Rogli\u010d, Widar, Onley, Landa, Johannessen, Carapaz, Brennar, Skjelmose, and Tejada.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:18:55.963Z<\/p>\n

Poga\u010dar has 15 seconds on Gall already.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:17:49.408Z<\/p>\n

A rare full cancellation, Ethan Hayter’s lost points, historical precedent \u2013 How the UCI rulebook was applied on the annulled stage 3 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/a><\/p>\n

The race to Font Romeu was effectively wiped from the record following a mass hailstorm 15km from the finish<\/p>\n

\n

\"FONT-ROMEU,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:17:11.659Z<\/p>\n

Felix Gall goes with him, but not for long.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:16:48.643Z
\n50km to go<\/p>\n

It’s Tadej Poga\u010dar on the move.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:16:30.460Z<\/p>\n

Decathlon led the way onto the climb but there’s an attack straight away…<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:16:10.290Z<\/p>\n

Onto the second climb of the day, the Collada de Beixalis (6.5km at 8.5%)<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:02:10.615Z<\/p>\n

Decathlon continue leading all the way down this long descent.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T14:01:40.097Z<\/p>\n

‘We did it with our heart and with a lot of pleasure’ \u2013 Hotel owner blown away by riders and five-star reviews after giving shelter to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton amid hailstorm<\/a><\/p>\n

‘We opened the doors for them all to come in and shelter. There was no hesitation’ hotel manager tells Cyclingnews<\/p>\n

\n

\"FONT-ROMEU,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:59:37.333Z<\/p>\n

Decathlon leading the peloton up the opening climb.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ANDORRA\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:57:44.072Z
\n67km to go<\/p>\n

And now Decathlon has shut down the gap. The breakaway is caught.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:55:09.485Z<\/p>\n

Eight riders left out front now as the peloton continues to close in.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:47:02.039Z<\/p>\n

A long descent now. 27km of downhill on the road to the next climb.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:45:50.377Z<\/p>\n

Decathlon continue powering to the top at the front of the peloton. They have five men lined up in the lead while it looks like Poga\u010dar only has two teammates with him.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:45:06.502Z<\/p>\n

Lorenzo Fortunato beats Paul Double in a two-man sprint to the summit. 10 points for the Italian and he’s now the virtual mountain classification leader.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:44:40.018Z
\n80km to go<\/p>\n

Over the top of the climb.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:42:24.220Z<\/p>\n

10 left in the break as Double pushes on at the front.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:41:58.889Z<\/p>\n

It looks like there’s only around 30 or so riders left in the peloton already.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:41:05.621Z<\/p>\n

Santiago Buitrago the latest to be dropped from the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:40:53.089Z<\/p>\n

Just 25 seconds between break and peloton now.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:39:52.821Z<\/p>\n

The break is just 2km from the top of the climb now.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:39:29.089Z<\/p>\n

Now Brennan drops and it’s just Tulett left up front for Visma.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:39:09.688Z<\/p>\n

More riders drop from the break, but the strongest climbers remain, including Castrillo, Brennan, Dunbar, Hirt, Fortunato, and Sosa.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:38:23.206Z<\/p>\n

Decathlon continue to push on.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:33:44.774Z<\/p>\n

Jo\u00e3o Almeida has been dropped from the peloton already. A key man lost early on for Tadej Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:32:50.876Z
\n84km to go<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Wout van Aert drops back from the break after some heard work early on.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:32:26.308Z<\/p>\n

Decathlon CMA CGM are chasing the breakaway, massed at the front of the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:30:38.479Z<\/p>\n

Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a Tech Gallery: A prototype Dura-Ace groupset, a new saddle for Tadej Poga\u010dar, and a special custom bike<\/a><\/p>\n

A double TT and road tech gallery from the first two days of the Vuelta<\/p>\n

\n

\"Vuelta\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:26:30.793Z<\/p>\n

A minute now as Visma lead the breakaway.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:22:36.079Z
\n89km to go<\/p>\n

45 seconds between break and peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:21:07.062Z<\/p>\n

Brennan leading the way at the front.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ANDORRA\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:18:58.161Z<\/p>\n

13 riders out front in the move now. But just 20 seconds up on the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:16:40.226Z<\/p>\n

Visma actually have five riders in the move \u2013 Van Aert and Brennan plus Christophe Laporte, Ben Tulett, and Bruno Armirail!<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:15:51.727Z<\/p>\n

Alexey Lutsenko, Finn Fisher-Black, Pablo Castrillo, Paul Double, Eddie Dunbar, Georg Steinhauser are among the group, too.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:15:16.078Z
\n93km to go<\/p>\n

Wout van Aert and Matthew Brennan now among a host of riders on the attack.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:11:52.398Z<\/p>\n

No breakaway currently.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:11:39.432Z<\/p>\n

Cian Uijdtdebroeks is dropped from the peloton early. He’s still suffering from the injuries sustained in his stage 2 crash.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:08:21.764Z
\n97km to go<\/p>\n

Pinarello-Q36.5 move to the front now.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:08:02.681Z<\/p>\n

UAE and Poga\u010dar at the start of today’s stage.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ANDORRA\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:07:14.282Z<\/p>\n

UAE is bringing them back, however.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:06:54.681Z<\/p>\n

A host of other riders have joined them in the move, including Sepp Kuss, Jack Haig, Pello Bilbao, and Mikel Landa.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:03:06.414Z<\/p>\n

Bouwman is in the polka dot jersey as KOM leader, of course.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:02:51.264Z<\/p>\n

More attackers flow off the front, including Dutchman Koen Bouwman and Steven Kruijswijk.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T13:02:32.766Z
\n100km to go<\/p>\n

Uriarte has been caught.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T12:56:51.331Z<\/p>\n

Diego Uriarte (Equipo Kern Pharma) is the first attacker of the day<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T12:53:55.997Z
\n104.8km to go<\/p>\n

His UAE team are right to the front with Ivo Oliveira as the flag drops to start the stage.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T12:52:07.699Z<\/p>\n

Tadej Poga\u010dar back in the red jersey this morning.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ANDORRA\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T12:51:01.614Z<\/p>\n

A short 2.5km neutralised section to start the race today.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T12:47:37.915Z<\/p>\n

The riders are just rolling out to start the stage now.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T12:39:57.849Z<\/p>\n

Other major climbs on today’s stage include the Collada de Beixalis (6.5km at 8.5%), the Col de Ordino (9.9km at 7%), and the La Comella (3.9km at 5.9%)<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T12:38:38.798Z<\/p>\n

Three first-category climbs and over 2,800 metres of elevation are on the menu today. The climbing starts right from the off with the Port de Envalira \u2013 a 23.3km climb at a 5.1% average gradient.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T12:21:44.870Z<\/p>\n

Much better conditions at the start today and all smiles in Andorra.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ANDORRA\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T12:19:56.854Z<\/p>\n

We called up the hotel which sheltered the Vuelta peloton from the hailstorm yesterday.<\/p>\n

‘We did it with our heart and with a lot of pleasure’ \u2013 Hotel owner blown away by riders and five-star reviews after giving shelter to Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a peloton amid hailstorm<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"FONT-ROMEU,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T12:14:45.640Z<\/p>\n

Racing gets underway in around half an hour.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T12:06:31.159Z<\/p>\n

Here’s a look at today’s stage, meanwhile.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Stage\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unipublic)<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T12:01:18.534Z<\/p>\n

‘The first thing I told the riders was \u2013 find shelter!’ \u2013 How one team lived through the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a hailstorm and stage cancellation drama<\/a><\/p>\n

‘The noise of the hail made it really hard to hear what was happening’ says EF Education-EasyPost sports director<\/p>\n

\n

\"Richard\n<\/p>\n

Richard Carapaz rushing to shelter at the end of stage 3 (Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T11:50:31.805Z<\/p>\n

Tadej Poga\u010dar was the favourite to extend his red jersey lead yesterday. Will he do so on today’s mountainous romp through Andorra? Here’s our stage preview.<\/p>\n

‘An absolute knockout stage’ – Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 stage 4 preview: will Tadej Poga\u010dar strike (again)?<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Pogacar\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T11:45:07.270Z<\/p>\n

The race is soon set to get going again after the tumultuous events of Monday’s stage 3, which was cut short by a massive hailstorm.<\/p>\n

2026-08-25T11:42:30.556Z<\/p>\n

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of stage 4 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"2026-08-25T14:43:52.552Z Gall now pushing it. 2026-08-25T14:43:23.203Z The Belgian isn’t out front for long, though, and now Decathlon are…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":749325,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[4985,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-749324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-cycling","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749324","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=749324"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749324\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/749325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=749324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=749324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=749324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}