Tadej Pogačar triumphs in Andorra after a stunning attack 50 kilometres from the finish

This is the Slovenian’s longest solo performance in a Grand Tour, following his attack on Beixalís, the second climb of the stage. Andorra experienced a historic day this Tuesday. Although this was the fifth time La Vuelta a España has featured a full stage in Andorra, it was the first time the stage both started and finished at the same location, Avenida Tarragona. The fourth stage, covering almost 105 kilometres and featuring four climbs, was won by pre-race favourite Tadej Pogačar. The reigning Tour de France champion will retain the red jersey after completing the stage in 2h 40′ 35″, finishing almost two minutes and forty seconds ahead of the chasing group. It was also the Slovenian’s longest solo performance in a Grand Tour, following his attack 50 kilometres from the finish on the Collada de Beixalís, the second climb of the stage. Only Austria’s Felix Gall attempted to follow him, but was unable to stay with Pogačar. Pogačar surpassed previous milestones, including the 43-kilometre solo effort he produced in the sixth stage of this year’s Tour de France and the 39-kilometre solo ride that took him to second place at the Plataforma de Gredos during the 20th stage of the 2019 Vuelta. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider also took the green jersey for the points classification, with 82 points. The classification rewards riders for their performance at designated points along the route and at the finish, rather than for their overall time. Pogačar is followed by Britain’s Ethan Hayter on 37 points and Matthew Brennan on 30. Pogačar also leads the mountains classification, with 23 points. Italy’s Lorenzo Fortunato is second with 10 points, followed by Dutchman Koen Bouwman with six. Six riders crossed the finish line together 2’39” after Pogačar. Jarno Widar, Felix Gall, Oscar Onley, Sepp Kuss, Enric Mas and Primož Roglič finished together in today’s classification. Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz crossed the line alone 2’57” behind the winner. Ahead of Wednesday’s fifth stage, from Falset to Roquetes in Tarragona, Pogačar remains at the top of the general classification. His compatriot Primož Roglič is second, just over three minutes behind, while Enric Mas sits close behind in third. Sepp Kuss is fourth and Oscar Onley fifth.The post Tadej Pogačar triumphs in Andorra after a stunning attack 50 kilometres from the finish first appeared on All PYRENEES.