Tadej Pogačar powers through the streets of Monaco to make the perfect start to the Spanish Vuelta. (Getty Images: Laurent Coust/Europa Press)
Tadej Pogačar claimed the Spanish Vuelta's red jersey for the first time by winning the opening time trial.
Pogačar was 0.09 seconds ahead of Ethan Hayter, with several of Pogačar's main rivals not racing.
Pogačar is looking to become just the eighth man in history to claim all three Grand Tour races.
Tadej Pogačar has delivered an ominous and stunning start to the Vuelta a España, edging British rider Ethan Hayter by just 0.09 seconds in the opening stage time trial.
However, the world number one said after the race that he had hoped Britain's Josh Tarling would come out on top.
Tarling was competing in the Vuelta just days after his brother Finlay Tarling was killed when he was hit by a non-accredited car on the course during the Volta a Portugal.
Competing despite his brother's death, Tarling delivered a blistering time of his own to be well in contention for stage honours.
As it happened, Soudal Quick-Step's Hayter finished four seconds faster than his grieving compatriot, with Pogačar pipping them both, before saying it would have been fitting had Tarling claimed victory.
"When I was going to the start line, I saw that Josh has the best time and, I really wish he wins today," Pogačar said at the finish.
"For sure I would do my best, but it was also this kind of strange moment. I was really rooting, myself, for Josh.
"Then I came to the intermediate [time check] and I hear a different name [over the radio], I hear Ethan Hayter was ahead of me by three seconds and I say, 'OK, I give it my all but no risks' and then we'll see what happens.
"I would really like to see Josh do well at this Vuelta."
Tarling's Netcompany INEOS director sportif Geraint Thomas was also full of praise for Tarling.
"It's been great to have him here. He was really keen to ride and wanted to get back to the day job and find comfort in the process and be around the team to be a normal as possible," fellow Welshman Thomas said.
