After what looked nailed on to be approaching another Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) solo exhibition, stage 6 of the Vuelta a España saw the race leader show rare weakness as he was chased down after attacking. He was forced to battle out the victory in a two-up sprint with a rejuvenated Enric Mas (Movistar).
Pogačar still emerged victorious in Castelló after a brutal day of all-out racing, but the sight of the red jersey being pulled back and briefly overtaken is perhaps the shock of the 2026 race so far, with his air on invincibility being challenged.
