Pogačar produces explosive finish to win the first stage of the Spanish Vuelta

MONACO (AP) — Tadej Pogačar produced an explosive finish to win the first stage of the Spanish Vuelta by edging British rider Ethan Hayter by 0.09 seconds in the opening time trial on Saturday.

Pogačar, who’s bidding to become just the ninth rider to win all three Grand Tours, put himself in position from the offset by completing the highly technical 9.5-kilometer (5.9 mile) course through the streets of Monaco – where he resides – in 10 minutes, 57 seconds.

Hayter, who had gone earlier, must have thought he was going to win as he watched Pogačar on course to finish some seconds slower than he had. But the Slovenian accelerated as he approached the finish and just pipped Hayter to the win.

Hayter finished four seconds faster than compatriot Josh Tarling, who was after being struck by a vehicle during the Volta a Portugal.

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