Tadej Pogacar showcased his resilience and skill by securing his third stage victory at the 2026 Vuelta a Espana, overcoming a challenging stage six that saw him narrowly avoid a serious crash.

After a brief off-road incident, Pogacar managed to outsprint Enric Mas, who pushed him to the limits in a fierce battle to the finish line. Initially, Pogacar established a significant lead after attacking on the final climb, seemingly on track for a comfortable victory. However, Mas, representing Movistar, caught up and overtook Pogacar in the final meters, claiming maximum points in the king of the mountain's classification.

During the descent, Mas led and encouraged Pogacar to ride cautiously. However, the seasoned champion, aiming for the Vuelta crown to complete his Grand Tour collection, took a risk. He overtook Mas but miscalculated a corner, skidding into the rocks. Thanks to his exceptional bike-handling skills, he avoided a crash and quickly regrouped.

The duo then collaborated to extend their lead over the chasing pack, with Pogacar's superior sprint allowing him to clinch the stage win. This victory expanded his overall lead in the general classification to three minutes and 34 seconds, with Mas now sitting second.

In a somber note, Josh Tarling of Netcompany Ineos abandoned the race after a personal tragedy, having lost his brother, Finlay, just two weeks prior. The team expressed their pride in Tarling's courage, highlighting his strong performance in the opening stage.