La Vuelta 2026 ***Spoilers***

[No Ta Doctor]

My conspiracy theory is that Pog hasn’t forgiven Wout for dropping him on last year’s Champs Elysees stage, stealing his thunder.

Or on Hautacam. Or for ruining Del Toro's Giro. Or Paris-Roubaix.

 

[No Ta Doctor]

Anyway, after the stage he came up to Wout all friendly and joking and gave Wout's kid his sunglasses, which seemed a bit cheeky tbh, given that Wout's one of those riders that really wants to make his kid proud and likely won't be seeing all that much of him for the next few weeks

 

[Dorset Boy]

Bear in mind that Pogi has never worn the red jersey before today too.

Wout got lucky in Paris-Roubaix. All the favourites had mechanicals, but for once Wout's was the least inconvenient and resulted in the least amount of lost time. Given he's not had much luck over the years it was probably time for the stars to align in his favour.

 

[Dorset Boy]

Anyway, after the stage he came up to Wout all friendly and joking and gave Wout's kid his sunglasses, which seemed a bit cheeky tbh, given that Wout's one of those riders that really wants to make his kid proud and likely won't be seeing all that much of him for the next few weeks

You really have a massive Pogi chip on your shoulder.
Most would say it was pretty cool by Pogi.
Like the classy comments and actions from Pogi to Josh T, giving him a red jersey this morning and his comments behind the podium yesterday

 

[Dogtrousers]

. Is there some type of bragging rights in holding the jersey for 21 days?

The win is a foregone conclusion so I guess he has to find some way of amusing himself.

 

[mrushton]

Pog is a racer. Thrives on it it would seem and a stone cold winner. Arguably only MvdP has got the better of him and he too is in the same mindset. Put him on his favoured terrain and he is pretty sure to win. I'm sure some of you race or have raced. If you had an ability like Pog or MvdP would you waste it? I've been winning too much, I'll let Dave from Stourbridge have this.

 

[mrushton]

The win is a foregone conclusion so I guess he has to find some way of amusing himself.

No different to Jonas turning up at the Giro or Vuelta. Except Pog looks like he enjoys it.

 

[M.R.M]

Pog is a racer. Thrives on it it would seem and a stone cold winner. Arguably only MvdP has got the better of him and he too is in the same mindset. Put him on his favoured terrain and he is pretty sure to win. I'm sure some of you race or have raced. If you had an ability like Pog or MvdP would you waste it? I've been winning too much, I'll let Dave from Stourbridge have this.

I agree mostly. I don't mind him going for wins. Today his likelihood of winning was incredibly low. Giving away the jersey for a few days or even 1 day is just good GC tactics. It makes Visma work and saves his teammates' legs.

 

[mididoctors]

Because they detest Visma. They've been UAE's GC rivals for 7 years and UAE feel there have been quite a few occassions of underhand tactics from Visma, so wouldn't want them to benefit from the publicity.

Do you think.this is the true reason?.

 

[mididoctors]

I agree mostly. I don't mind him going for wins. Today his likelihood of winning was incredibly low. Giving away the jersey for a few days or even 1 day is just good GC tactics. It makes Visma work and saves his teammates' legs.

He came.3rd hardly unlikely

 

[Pblakeney]

So WVA is going to come second in the Vuelta? He is the guy to take the win if Pogacar crashes out? Seriously?

I mean fine. I have no intent to deride anyone. I'm trying to understand the motivation behind his tactics today. Maybe animosity towards Visma explains it, or him just wanting to stay in red for whatever reason. Is there some type of bragging rights in holding the jersey for 21 days?

Sounds about right to me.

 

[mididoctors]

Stage 3.Gruissan - Aude > Font Romeu 174 km

Well the UAE stage. TV from 2:45 CET

 

[gsk82]

I agree mostly. I don't mind him going for wins. Today his likelihood of winning was incredibly low. Giving away the jersey for a few days or even 1 day is just good GC tactics. It makes Visma work and saves his teammates' legs.

I don't think visma having the lead would make any difference to UAE's tactics tomorrow. They'll control when they want to.

 

[mididoctors]

I don't think visma having the lead would make any difference to UAE's tactics tomorrow. They'll control when they want to.

This really.

 

[Dogtrousers]

. I'm sure some of you race or have raced. If you had an ability like Pog or MvdP would you waste it? I've been winning too much, I'll let Dave from Stourbridge have this.

Woah hold on. Anyone but Dave. I went to school with him and he copped off with Tracy who I fancied.