Vingegaard takes Tour de France lead as Visma wins Barcelona team time trial, Pogacar 12 seconds back
Jonas Vingegaard claimed the first yellow jersey of the 2026 Tour de France after his Visma-Lease a Bike squad won the opening team time trial in Barcelona, finishing 8 seconds ahead of INEOS and 12 ahead of Tadej Pogacar's UAE team.
Vingegaard takes yellow in Barcelona
Visma-Lease a Bike clocked 21:47.87 over the 19.6 km flat course from the Fòrum to Montjuïc, returning the team time trial to the Tour for the first time since 1971. The Danish rider crossed the line with an 8-second advantage over Filippo Ganna's Netcompany INEOS and 12 seconds over UAE Team Emirates-XRG, whose leader Tadej Pogacar was the fastest individual on the final climb.
I haven't had to do many exceptional things to win this stage. I just had to follow my teammates. It's beautiful to experience the possibility of wearing yellow again, after a couple of years without doing so.
Lidl-Trek placed fourth at 16 seconds, with Juan Ayuso the best-placed Spanish rider. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, led by Remco Evenepoel, finished a further three seconds back. French debutant Paul Seixas, 19, impressed with sixth place for Decathlon CMA CGM.
- Visma-Lease a Bike
- 0 seconds behind
- Netcompany INEOS
- 8 seconds behind
- UAE Team Emirates
- 12 seconds behind
- Lidl-Trek
- 16 seconds behind
- Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
- 19 seconds behind
Emotional return after near-fatal crash
Vingegaard, who suffered a life-threatening crash at the 2024 Itzulia Basque Country, said the yellow jersey allowed him to close a painful chapter. He has finished first or second in each of his last eight Grand Tours, including recent Giro and Vuelta victories.
When I was lying on the ground, I saw myself dying. It was no longer a question of cycling, just survival. By getting the yellow jersey back, I feel I can now close this chapter.
Pogacar, aiming for a fifth Tour title to join Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault and Indurain, was fastest on the timed section from Passeig de Santa Madrona to the finish, earning the polka-dot mountains jersey. He called his team's performance "really good" and said he was not disappointed.
Stage 2 preview: Tarragona to Barcelona
Sunday's second stage covers 168.5 km from Tarragona to Barcelona with 2,500 metres of elevation gain. The first half runs along the Costa Dorada coastline, while the second half introduces the Begues climb (6.1 km at 6.5%) before a finishing circuit that ascends Montjuïc (1.6 km at 9.3%, with ramps up to 13%) three times. The start is at 13:45 CEST, with the finish expected between 17:26 and 17:46.
- Neutralised roll-out through the UNESCO-listed city centre.
- First half along Costa Dorada beaches, no major difficulties.
- 6.1 km at 6.5% average gradient.
- 1.6 km at 9.3%, ramps up to 13%.
- Second passage of the same climb.
- Final ascent to the finish line near the Olympic Stadium.
Behind the scenes at the Grand Départ
Inside the France Télévisions broadcast truck, director Anthony Forestier expressed relief after months of planning. He confirmed three cameras cover the final kilometre, including a crane camera placed exactly where he wanted. "The message to my team is to have fun. It's going to last three weeks," he said.
Contenders and early setbacks
Juan Ayuso rued losing Mattias Skjelmose early in the flat section but praised Mads Pedersen and Mathias Vacek for keeping Lidl-Trek in contention. Movistar's leader Cian Uijtdebroeks was dropped before Montjuïc, leaving the Spanish team with little to say. The peloton now faces a hilly stage that could reshuffle the slim time gaps among the favourites.
