Yesterday Tadej Pogacar demonstrated his extraordinary talent once again on the stage of the Vuelta de España, taking part in a thrilling two-man battle with Wout van Aert. The Slovenian champion maintained the red jersey of race leader, despite finishing in third place, behind Spaniard Pau Miquel and winner Matthew Brennan, Wout van Aert's teammate.

The stage took a decisive turn when Van Aert launched a powerful attack. Pogacar, wearing the red jersey, did not hesitate to follow the Belgian. In the post-race interview, the Slovenian said: "I was prepared for the attack, but I reacted a bit too late. Van Aert created a good gap and, on the flat section, I still had to push hard. I tried to stay on his wheel and hope he would go all the way to the finish line".

Despite the difficulty, Pogacar showed great determination. He knew that Van Aert could count on Matthew Brennan, his teammate who ultimately claimed victory. "I should have tried if we had the chance to win - Pogacar continued - But I already had lactic acid in my legs". The two-time world champion faced the final stretch already with tired legs, but continued to push the pedals nonetheless. His strategy proved successful in maintaining a safe position, trying to manage his strength until the end.

Despite the battle for stage victory and the risk of losing the red jersey, Pogacar maintained control of the situation. "I didn't know there were eight seconds of time bonus at stake, so I was focused on the stage win and I'm satisfied with the result", he explained. His ability to remain focused is strategic and allowed him to finish the stage without losing the overall lead.

The duel between Pogacar and Van Aert made the second stage of the Vuelta de España an extremely thrilling event, highlighting the skill and determination of both cyclists. With Pogacar maintaining the red jersey and preparing for the next challenges, the competition promises to be increasingly exciting. The Vuelta continues to deliver surprises, and fans can expect a great spectacle in the coming stages.