Tadej Pogacar has won the opening stage of La Vuelta a Espana by just nine-hundredths of a second -- but, with a little help from an Australian teammate, it could be the launch of a crushing and historic triumph.
The world's greatest cyclist delivered an explosive finish to edge British rider Ethan Hayter in the 9.4km opening time trial through the streets of his home in Monaco on Saturday (Sunday AEST).
Bidding to be just the ninth rider to win all three Grand Tours after his one Giro d'Italia and five Tour de France victories, the Slovenian wasn't expected to take control so soon but a thunderous late charge enabled him to prevail astonishingly in 10 minutes 57.14 seconds to Hayter's 10:57.23.
