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3rustyechomega
1 month ago
Bayer Leverkusen and NK Celje clash this Wednesday at the BayArena of the UEFA Europa League. Bayer Leverkusen, who have already won this tournament, mark their 21st participation in the competition, whilst NK Celje go into their 2nd.
In their last game, Bayer Leverkusen drew 2-2 with FC Augsburg (1. Bundesliga 2026/27). Last time out, NK Celje slipped to a 2-1 defeat against NK Bravo (Slovenian League 2026/27).
Montrell Culbreath - Foot Injury
Bayer Leverkusen ( vs FC Augsburg 2026-09-12): Mark Flekken, Jarell Quansah, Edmond Tapsoba, Facundo Medina, Miguel Gutiérrez, Aleix García, Equi Fernández, Moussa Diaby, Ibrahim Maza, Afonso Moreira, Christian Kofane
NK Celje ( vs NK Bravo 2026-09-12): Zan Luk Leban, Pijus Sirvys, Leonardo Koutris, Artemijus Tutyskinas, Papa Mustapha, Mark Zabukovnik, Darko Hrka, Mario Kvesić, Benjamin Verbic, Matic Ivansek, Blaz Kramer

#bayer #bayarena
sahaf_pa
1 month ago
Luka Doncic is back in a position where he is the lone star of his team, and he has been fully focused on fulfilling his responsibilities as the leader.
The Los Angeles Lakers parted ways with LeBron James, who decided to become a free agent, ending his eight-year tenure with the historic franchise.
Left in Hollywood is Doncic, who will now be the team's main star—a role he embraced and carried out during his 6.5 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. The Slovenian is not wasting any time. He made it clear what type of teammates he wanted around him, and once the roster was ***** embled, he made sure to welcome each and every one of them.
One of the Lakers' biggest challenges this season is the fact that more than half of the roster is new. Doncic is addressing that by bringing his old and new teammates together for bonding activities and mini-camps.
The NBA training camp will not officially open until September 29, but the six-time All-Star has taken the initiative to get an early start with his team. He flew nearly all of his teammates to Slovenia and, according to reports, paid for their plane tickets.

#star #time #made #roster
com8t334
2 months ago
1
Manchester United failed to sign a striker this summer, despite being linked with several candidates for the job. Among the player on their wish list was long-term target Harry Kane.
The Premier League giants were looking to add more competition for Benjamin Sesko in the squad. The Slovenian arrived at the Theatre of Dreams in a big-money move at the beginning of last season and enjoyed a decent debut run.
Sesko was particularly impressive following Michael Carrick's arrival, helping United finish third in the Premier League table.
However, with the Red Devils all set to compete in the Champions League this season and Joshua Zirkzee's future uncertain, INEOS were expected to sign an experienced No. 9 this year. A move for Kane was touted as a possibility, especially since he has entered the final year of his contract with Bayern Munich.

#united
0oFtly
2 months ago
In the absence of superstar Tadej Pogacar another Slovenian announced himself to the cycling world with a stunning win on one of the toughest stages of this Vuelta a Espana: 20-year-old Jakob Omrzel.
The Bahrain-Victorious prodigy was part of a 30-strong breakaway on the 166.6km stage 12, a dramatic up-and-down day after two flatter stages for the sprinters.
Fireworks were always expected on the back-to-back category-one climbs at the end of the day and Omrzel duly provided them, taking his first WorldTour victory on the biggest stage - and on his debut grand tour.
The youngster - a former winner of the Giro d'Italia Next Gen, a prestigious stage race for under-23 riders - went solo with 12km to go on the final climb, the Calar Alto, a 17km behemoth averaging 5.6%.
The breakaway splintered apart in his wake and he held on to win by 1 minute 56 seconds from Urko Berrade, covering his face in delight and punching the air as he crossed the line.

#stage #breakaway #back #tadej
EvO_hack_bluntly_spi
2 months ago
XERACO, Spain (AP) — Five-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar posted a photo from the hospital wearing a neck brace and with bandages on his hand and face on Sunday, a day after crashing out of the Spanish Vuelta.
The Instagram post came accompanied by the Bee Gees song "Stayin' Alive."
Pogačar was expected to undergo surgery after being sent hurdling head-over-handlebars in a frightening crash that forced him to pull out of the Vuelta. He suffered a concussion and broke two bones after he appeared to lose control when a stone came rolling across the road.
The Slovenian from UAE Team Emirates had a big lead and was heavily favored to win the **** le to complete a hat trick of cycling's three Grand Tours.
This was Pogačar's 10th Grand Tour and the first he has ever abandoned. He had never finished lower than third place.

#vuelta #came
fm_cosmic_4932_cool
2 months ago
Jaka Bijol is the cover star and exclusive interview in this weekend's matchday programme as we welcome Brentford to Elland Road for our first Premier League fixture on home soil this season!
In the discussion with the Slovenian international, he looks back at two memorable victories over Nottingham Forest and speaks glowingly about the new additions to the squad.
Priced at £4, programmes are available to buy around the ground ahead of kick-off and can also be purchased online.
The programme contains columns from manager Daniel Farke and captain Ethan Ampadu, as well as club legends Eddie Gray and Stuart Dallas.
You can also find out how our Women's team, Under-21s and Under-18s got on in their opening few matches of the campaign to date.

#road
lwzjygqymieggtcz
2 months ago
Luka Doncic recently went viral during the Los Angeles Lakers' roster trip to Slovenia for how fit he looks, but Colin Cowherd isn't impressed and he thinks no one should be.
There have been questions asked about the shape Luka Doncic is in throughout his entire career. Despite being a nearly perennial All-NBA First Team pick, the Slovenian star has at times appeared a tad overweight.
He appeared on the cover of Men's Health magazine last offseason, with the NBA world taking note of his trimmed down physique. This summer, it has gone to another level.
Doncic recently flew all his new teammates out to Slovenia for a Los Angeles Lakers team-bonding trip. Fans noted he was slimmer than ever in photos, but one sports ***** yst isn't too impressed.
Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images

#angeles #Lakers #team #recently
quiET1
2 months ago
One of the things that Luka Doncic's minicamp for his Los Angeles Lakers teammates allowed them to do is visit and explore Doncic's native country of Slovenia. Outside of basketball and training, several activities were planned, including golf, a bicycle race and a rowing session on Lake Bled.
Forward Jarred Vanderbilt apparently liked his experience in Slovenia. In fact, he told a reporter there that he would like to visit the nation again.
"I would love to [return]," Vanderbilt said. "Not gonna lie, I didn't know much about it before I came here, but it's definitely a spot I will revisit."
In fact, Vanderbilt said he wants to obtain a passport.
"I was looking to get my Slovenian passport," he said. "So we'll see. Might be part Slovenian."

#slovenia #slovenian #fact #Lakers
diitnvefn
2 months ago
Tadej Pogacar produced another peerless performance as he soloed to victory from 50km from the finish on the mountainous fourth stage of the Vuelta a Espana.
The Slovenian, who is riding the Vuelta for only the second time in his career and for the first time in seven years, was the overwhelming pre-race favourite and had been widely expected to put the competition to bed in the opening week.
Stage three's cancellation due to severe hailstorms prevented him from making a late raid on the final climb to Font Romeu and delivering that statement of intent.
But he made up for lost time on stage four, attacking on the second of three category-one climbs, the Collada de Beixalis. None of his rivals had any response to his acceleration on the 6.5km, 8.5% climb, and they were left scrapping among themselves for the minor places over the remaining 50km.
Victory in Andorra la Vella marked his longest solo victory at a grand tour, at the only one of the three which he is left to win, and his second in four days, having claimed victory and the leader's jersey on stage one's individual time trial.

#victory #stage #time
1rasocket
2 months ago
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt might consider a career-changing move after their recent trip to Slovenia to spend time with Luka Doncic.
Doncic invited all his Lakers teammates for the 2026-27 season to his home country of Slovenia, getting to know the players on the massively adjusted roster before a new season.
One of the Lakers players who seemed to have a blast was 27-year-old Vanderbilt, who might be considering a drastic move that a former Lakers teammate made regarding Doncic.
Vanderbilt gave an interview before the Lakers left Slovenia, where he mentioned he is trying to get a Slovenian passport.
"It was amazing… The trip was great. I would love to (come back to Slovenia)… I'm looking to get a Slovenian passport. We'll see. Might be part Slovenian."

#might #move #season #players
zxety42
2 months ago
Cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar won the opening stage of the 81st Vuelta/Tour of Spain by the narrowest of margins on Saturday, claiming the red jersey as overall leader for the first time in his career.
The Slovenian edged the short 9.4-kilometre individual time trial in his adopted home of Monaco, beating Britain's Ethan Hayter by nine hundredths of a second.
Pogačar is still missing an overall victory at the Vuelta.
The 27-year-old has dominated cycling in the way Belgian icon Eddy Merckx used to. Pogačar's long list of achievements includes a record-equalling five Tour de France ****** les including in July, two world championship ****** les, victory at the Giro d'Italia and numerous wins in the classics.
At the end of the 3,275-kilometre Vuelta, he wants to stand on the top step of the podium at the finish in Granada. That would mean Pogačar has won all three Grand Tours.

#vuelta #Cycling #tadej
predbci
2 months ago
Where to watch Vuelta a España 2026: Full schedule, start times, channel, live stream for cycling stage race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Can anyone find a way to beat Tadej Pogacar?
That's the inevitable question as the Slovenian superstar saddles up for La Vuelta a Espana less than a month after winning his fifth Tour de France.
Pogacar has competed in the Vuelta just once before, placing third in the general classification in 2019 as a 20-year-old. His countryman Primoz Roglic took the maillot rojo that year for the first of his four Vuelta wins and is back in 2026 hoping to recapture past glory two years after his most recent triumph.
It will be a tall task for Roglic and other GC hopefuls like Wout van Aert and Richard Carapaz, as Pogacar simply looks unbeatable at the moment. A brutal route packed with climbs and about 58,000 meters in total elevation gain should only help Pogacar, who always seems to find a way to attack as his rivals crack on the ascent.

#vuelta #pogacar #find #preferred
stormsvl
2 months ago
The Los Angeles Lakers roster is currently in Slovenia on superstar Luka Doncic's invitation. And after some photos from the trip went viral, fans think the 27-year-old is looking good.
Luka Doncic has had to deal with a lot since 2025. Being traded to the Lakers, the subsequent ownership changes in LA, LeBron James' departure, and his own injuries have all been issues.
The Slovenian superstar has often had to deal with questions about his conditioning as well. Despite being a perennial First Team All-NBA member, Doncic has regularly dealt with comments about his weight.
Luka got a lot of love from fans for getting into shape last offseason. However, after recent pictures from his time in Slovenia dropped, the compliments are on a whole different level.
Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images

#luka #doncic #fans
vwQy_KNPhn9
2 months ago
Where to watch Vuelta a España 2026: Full schedule, start times, channel, live stream for cycling stage race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Can anyone find a way to beat Tadej Pogacar?
That's the inevitable question as the Slovenian superstar saddles up for La Vuelta a Espana less than a month after winning his fifth Tour de France.
Pogacar has competed in the Vuelta just once before, placing third in the general classification in 2019 as a 20-year-old. His countryman Primoz Roglic took the maillot rojo that year for the first of his four Vuelta wins and is back in 2026 hoping to recapture past glory two years after his most recent triumph.
It will be a tall task for Roglic and other GC hopefuls like Wout van Aert and Richard Carapaz, as Pogacar simply looks unbeatable at the moment. A brutal route packed with climbs and about 58,000 meters in total elevation gain should only help Pogacar, who always seems to find a way to attack as his rivals crack on the ascent.

#sporting #year #full
xIbSYt2Ch
2 months ago
According to Ekipa, Luka Doncic and his teammates held a two-hour workout at Stozice Arena, with Lakers ****** istant coach Greg St. Jean leading the session. St. Jean, one of JJ Redick's ****** istants, is also familiar with Slovenian basketball after previously working with the country's national team at FIBA EuroBasket 2025. The workout marked the Lakers' first practice together during Luka's privately organized trip to his home country.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Luka Doncic and his teammates held a two-hour workout …

#doncic #held #according #ekipa
p3rtlYfLaT
2 months ago
Manchester United are reportedly tracking Ivan Toney and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who could become options should Joshua Zirkzee leave.
Although we're less than two weeks away from the end of the summer transfer window, Zirkzee's future remains unclear.
The Dutchman is considering a mere back-up for Benjamin Sesko, and even with the Slovenian's absence, Michael Carrick could still opt to deploy either Matheus Cunha or Bryan Mbeumo in the striker role.
For the past 18 months or so, Zirkzee has been linked with a return to Italian football. Last January, Roma were close to signing the 25-year-old, but in recent weeks, Juventus emerged as the player's most likely destination, which isn't a total coincidence, given how former Roma director Ricky Massara moved to Turin earlier this summer.
Moreover, Napoli are said to be considered a late-summer target for Zirkzee after selling Romelu Lukaku. This would reunite the former Bologna star with fellow Man Utd struggler Rasmus Hojlund, who managed to revive his career in Southern Italy.

#united #jean
fly_174_mildly_ukwom
2 months ago
Adam Idah has praised fellow striker Zan Vipotnik's professionalism amid ongoing speculation about the Slovenian's future at Swansea City.
Championship golden boot winner Vipotnik has been the subject of interest from Premier League side Hull City.
The Tigers saw a bid worth around £10m rejected for the 24-year-old international before Vipotnik started against Stoke on the opening weekend.
Idah, who scored the winner at Stoke with his first touch after replacing the former Bordeaux striker, hopes Vipotnik will stay in south Wales.
"He's been brilliant to be fair. He's been really professional. I know what it's like to be in that situation," said Idah.

#stoke #striker
mOvyfUf
2 months ago
There are still some people who doubt Luka Doncic and his ability to carry a team to the NBA championship, perhaps mostly because he hasn't done so yet. But his basketball abilities are immense and unmatched by very few players in the league today.
His ability to consistently hit contested 3-pointers off the dribble makes him extremely dangerous offensively. While he doesn't shoot a very high percentage overall from 3-point range, NBA 2K27, which will be released to the public on Sept. 4, did show him some love in that category.
The Slovenian superstar was given a 92 rating in 3-point shooting by the video game, and while some disagree with that rating, it is indicative of how potent a shooter he is.
Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 ***** ists and 1.6 steals a game last season while shooting 47.6% from the field and 36.6% from 3-point range. He led the NBA in scoring average for the second time in three years, and he got a bit of MVP consideration.
NBA 2K27 also rated him very high in a somewhat surprising category: ball-handling. He got a 95 rating in that department, which put him sixth overall.

#point #high #overall
4E92brn
2 months ago
Leicester City have signed striker Admir Bristric from Slovenian club Olimpija Ljubljana for an undisclosed fee on a four-year deal.
The 23-year-old has represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at youth level and becomes the Foxes' eighth signing of the summer window so far.
Bristric spent last season on loan at Slovenian club Bravo, scoring 10 goals in 24 appearances and helped them secure qualification for the Uefa Conference League.
His arrival follows the recent signings of Wes Burns, Tommy Watson and Liam Cullen as manager Russell Martin builds a new squad at the King Power Stadium .
"I feel proud and amazing to be at such a big club like Leicester," Bristric told Leicester's website.

#bristric #club #leicester #year
barely_fb
2 months ago
Benjamin Sesko is poised to return to full fitness in time for Manchester United's season-opener away to Hull City.
The Red Devils kick off their 2026/2027 on Saturday, August 22 in the 12.30pm kick-off and, according to Manchester Evening News' Steven Railston, the Slovenian is in line to make the squad.
Benjamin Sesko is still on track to be fit for the start of the season, so there's no reason to panic. The striker has been stepping up his rehabilitation at Carrington #MUFC
Sesko has been ruled out of all of United's pre-season friendlies thus far due to a shin injury that was re-aggravated when he was barged off the pitch by Ibrahima Konate in last term's home win over Liverpool.
The 23-year-old was hooked at the interval and replaced by Amad Diallo. Little did he – or fans – know that Sesko would not feature again in the remaining three matches.

#sesko #benjamin #hull #august
comet
3 months ago
The Los Angeles Lakers have recently been linked with a move for one of Luka Dončić's former Dallas Mavericks teammates. However, before the speculation could gain momentum, one respected league insider swiftly dismissed the possibility.
The Lakers have officially entered a new era centered around Dončić after LeBron James' departure from the franchise. Los Angeles has shifted its focus toward surrounding the Slovenian superstar with the right supporting cast.
Throughout the offseason, the Lakers have been connected to several notable names, including Dončić's former Mavericks teammate P.J. Washington. The speculation intensified after senior NBA writer Marc Jacobs reported that the Lakers and the Mavericks had engaged in trade discussions involving the versatile forward.
Amid this, league insider Evan Sidery revealed that Dallas has been actively making Washington available. That update naturally fueled speculation among fans that Washington could reunite with Dončić in Los Angeles.
However, veteran league insider Jake Fischer quickly dismissed the rumors, making it clear that he has not heard anything to suggest the Lakers are actively pursuing Washington behind the scenes.

#Lakers #former
gejogox0438
3 months ago
Newly crowned five-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar will race in this month's Vuelta a Espana in an attempt to win all three of cycling's Grand Tours.
The Slovenian UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider will be the runaway favourite to win the three-week Grand Tour after becoming the joint most successful Tour de France champion of all time last month, alongside fellow greats Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.
Pogacar won the 2024 Giro d'Italia by nearly 10 minutes, and would become only the ninth rider to win all three Grand Tours in history should he triumph in Spain.
The 27-year-old finished third at the Tour of Spain as a youngster in 2019.
"I'm excited to say I'm going back to La Vuelta," said Pogacar. "It was my first ever Grand Tour back in 2019 and an amazing experience.

#vuelta
knhrhawk
3 months ago
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic is in Europe this offseason, spending time with his daughters while rehabilitating from his hamstring injury.
Doncic missed the entire postseason and the end of the regular season after his left hamstring tore.
Despite talk about Doncic possibly coming back in time for the playoffs, the Slovenian and the Lakers decided against being irresponsible and held him out.
He has been a star for years, but Doncic is only 27 years old, and the organization was intent on protecting his long-term future, which LA hopes will be in purple and gold.
Mar 25, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles the ball down court during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

#star #time
hyperhr
3 months ago
Few things in life are certain beyond death, taxes, and Tadej Pogacar winning the Tour de France. This year's Grande Boucle went almost entirely as expected, offering few real surprises or diversions from the status quo, as the marauding Slovenian won another five stages en route to his record-equalling fifth ****** le.
His place in the pantheon of greats had already been cemented and there are few superlatives left to describe his grip on the sport. He is now equal with cycling legends in the form of Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain on five wins; his 26 stage wins leave him nine off the record of Mark Cavendish, who will be wishing he'd postponed retirement by another year or two.
There could have been more had Pogacar not opted to babysit young teammate Isaac del Toro to a stage win, third place on the podium, and the best young rider's jersey too. Pogacar is able to win at will but sometimes seems happier in the role of world's most powerful domestique; perhaps the only thing holding him back from an unprecedented sixth ****** le is whether he can muster the enthusiasm for it. At 27, he is younger than all of his fellow five-time winners were and will be in his prime for a while yet.
But while the Pogacar era looks set to continue for some time, the post-Pogacar era already looks to be one to savour. Those left cold by the two-time world champion's iron grip on the sport can set a reminder to tune in in a couple of seasons' time, or perhaps as early as this autumn's Vuelta, should Pogacar skip it – as expected – to target a third rainbow jersey.
Pogacar seemed to enjoy helping del Toro as much if not more than winning stages (AP)

#pogacar
boosthe
3 months ago
It was a seismic story in the middle of the 2025 Tour de France: a senior member of Ineos Grenadiers staff was sent home from the race over alleged links to a German blood-doping ring.
David Rozman was the head carer (soigneur) of the Ineos cycling team, a job which involves all manner of support for riders including nutrition and massage.
The Slovenian had a long ***** ociation with the team, now known as Netcompany-Ineos Cycling Team, stretching back to 2011 when he joined what was then Team Sky during their heyday, as Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome sparked the British team's near-decade of Tour de France dominance under the leadership of Sir Dave Brailsford.
Rozman was first named publicly in relation to the case by The Irish Independent in an article published during last year's Tour. The next day, L'Equipe splashed the Rozman story, and the Ineos head carer's name was published in the British press for the first time two days later by The Times.
It followed an investigative documentary by German broadcaster ARD called Secret Doping: In the Slipstream, broadcast shortly before the Tour began, in which Rozman was not named for legal reasons. The ARD documentary revealed that a member of Ineos staff had allegedly shared messages with a notorious doping doctor, Mark Schmidt, and that some of those messages were used as evidence in Schmidt's criminal trial.

#ineos #tour #france #Cycling
Bold
3 months ago
Remco Evenepoel made it back-to-back stage wins at the Tour de France as he marked Belgian national day with victory in a time trial on the banks of Lake Geneva on Tuesday.
Resplendent in the rainbow bands, the world time trial champion completed the 26 kilometre course in a time of 32 minutes 19 seconds, beating Tadej Pogačar by 28 seconds.
He took a small bite out of the Slovenian's commanding advantage in yellow, now 4 minutes 32 seconds, but more importantly opened up a significant gap over Isaac del Toro in the fight for second.
But it was a bittersweet day for Evenepoel's Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe team as Florian Lipowitz, third overall last year and fifth in this Tour at the start of the day, crashed 6 kilometres from the finish and abandoned with an apparent broken collarbone.
When Evenepoel won Sunday's stage 15 atop Plateau de Solaison, it was his first career Tour road stage win, but this was his third time trial success in the world's biggest race. What was a 58-second advantage over Del Toro is now 2 minutes and 19 seconds.

#time #stage #toro
GlidelazY
3 months ago
Tadej Pogacar delivered a statement victory over the Tourmalet as he retook the yellow jersey on stage six of the Tour de France on Thursday.
Pogacar attacked with a little over four kilometres left of the 17-kilometre climb over the Pyrenean giant, 43km from the end of the stage, and rode clear of his rival Jonas Vingegaard down the descent and up the final climb into Gavarnie-Gedre.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG star took the stage by two minutes 38 seconds from Vingegaard, the 17th time the pair have shared the top two places of a Tour stage, reclaiming yellow from Torstein Traeen and opening up a commanding advantage after starting the day on the same time as Vingegaard.
Traeen, who took yellow on Tuesday, had hoped to carry the jersey into the second week but was distanced less than halfway up the Tourmalet. The advantage of seven minutes 53 seconds the Norwegian held at the start had already disappeared before a crash on the descent piled on the pain.
But ***** ody could have competed with Pogacar on this form. Midway up the Tourmalet the Slovenian, targeting a record-equalling fifth Tour ***** le and third in a row, confidently told the team radio: "I'm good guys, I'm good."
pegucakowe7
3 months ago
The German alpine resort of Oberstdorf will host the Nordic skiing world championships for a fourth time, the governing ski and snowboard federation FIS has said.
The FIS said that its council favoured Oberstdorf for the championships in cross country skiing, ski jumping and Nordic combined over Slovenian bidders Planica.
"I want to congratulate Oberstdorf on a remarkable bid," new FIS president Alexander Ospelt said.
The decision was originally planned for the FIS congress in June but delayed. The announcement now came on the same day as Nordic combined was axed from the Olympic programme for the 2030 Winter Games.
Oberstdorf previously hosted the Nordic worlds in 1987, 2005 and 2021, the latter behind closed doors amid the coronavirus pandemic.
teteyihfeleyefa165
4 months ago
Defending Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar took victory on stage three of the Tour de France with a late acceleration to the line following a 195.9km route from Granollers to Les Angles.
The Slovenian also acquired the overall lead and yellow jersey after the stage winner's bonus points took him level on time with Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike, who had been in yellow since Saturday's opening stage.
Pogacar took control with around half a kilometre to go, taking Vingegaard and French darling Paul Seixas of Decathlon-CMA CGM by surprise with a blistering attack.
Pogacar was led up the final category three climb by Sunday's stage winner and UAE Team Emirates-XRG team-mate Isaac del Toro of Mexico, who Pogacar had shepherded over the line the previous day while very clearly holding back his own pace.
On a sweltering hot day in the Pyrenees on the border between northern Spain and southern France, fans had been told to stay away from the area around Les Angles at the finish because of wildfires.
65wbgRdnnji
4 months ago
The 2026 Tour de France is officially underway, kicking off with Stage 1 on Saturday, July 4, at the Grand Départ in Barcelona, Spain. Over the next three weeks, the world’s most prestigious cycling race will cover 21 stages, traversing challenging terrain across several countries.
A total of 184 riders representing 23 teams lined up at the start in Barcelona, each aiming to take an early lead and position themselves for the race ahead. Among the competitors is Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar, the reigning champion, who returns to defend his ******* le and pursue a third consecutive Tour de France victory.
The opening stage featured a Team Time Trial spanning the first 12.1 miles of the race. Each rider’s individual time was recorded as they crossed the finish line, but the winner of Stage 1 was determined by the fastest combined team time. This year, Jonas Vingegaard’s Visma-Lease a Bike team claimed victory with a time of 21 minutes and 47 seconds.
Here is the leaderboard after Stage 1.
More: 2026 Tour de France: How to watch, schedule, stages for cycling's top race

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