Pogačar Defends Red Jersey in Explosive Andorra Stage 4 of Vuelta

Tadej Pogačar will defend the red jersey in stage four of the Vuelta a España, a 104.9km mountainous loop entirely within Andorra that begins today.

The stage starts and finishes on Avinguda Tarragona in Andorra la Vella, featuring four categorised climbs: Port d'Envalira, Coll de Beixalís, Coll d'Ordino, and Port de la Comella. Riders head north along Avinguda Tarragona and the CG-2 towards Encamp, El Tarter, and Canillo, ascending Envalira before descending through the tunnel back to Encamp. The route continues to Beixalís, drops via L'Aldosa to Ordino, climbs Coll d'Ordino, descends through Montaup to Canillo, passes Engolasters and La Plana, and tackles the final descent from Comella.

Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates leads the general classification after stage three was fully neutralised due to heavy rain and hail 15.8km from the Font-Romeu finish. The cancellation leaves the standings unchanged entering Andorra, where the short, explosive profile demands constant attacks and offers little recovery.

Local riders, including 37 Andorran residents, gain an edge from familiar terrain. Enric Mas will test himself against favourites on home roads, joined by residents like Mattias Skjelmose, Richard Carapaz, Oscar Onley, João Almeida, Sepp Kuss, and Jay Vine, who won in Pal last year. Teams can scout attacks live amid repeated road sections.

Authorities have mobilised extensively for over 3,000 team and media personnel from 30 nationalities, plus 1,200 accredited journalists. The operation involves 140 police, 127 traffic agents, 60 volunteers, and 50 staff from COEX, Mobility, firefighters, SUM, and Red Cross, with support from Spanish Civil Guard and National Police.

Traffic restrictions include closures on Avinguda Tarragona from the Comella roundabout to Kilometre 0 until around 10pm, and CG-2 between Encamp and Canillo for three hours due to multiple peloton passages. Mobility advises avoiding cars from 1pm to 6pm. Public transport faces cuts: lines L2, L3, and L4 halt from noon to 7pm, L6 and L7 from 3:30pm to 5pm, with only L1 unaffected.

The government has temporarily suspended the ban on overnight camping under article 16 of the General Tourist Accommodation Law since yesterday across all parishes. This allows motorhomes, caravanes, campers, and similar vehicles in road lay-bys, provided they do not hinder the stage, to accommodate arriving fans.