2026 La Vuelta a España Stages 9–15
The second week of the 2026 La Vuelta a España brought a combination of challenging climbs, aggressive breakaways and fast finishes as the battle for the red jersey intensified. Stages 9 through 15 produced several standout performances, with experienced stars and emerging talents taking their opportunities across demanding Spanish roads. Watch the video highlights for Stages 9–15 to relive the key attacks, climbs, sprints and winning moments from each day of racing.
Stage 9 – Alto de Aitana Showdown
Winner: Enric Mas (Movistar Team)
Enric Mas produced a powerful performance on the summit finish at Alto de Aitana to take the Stage 9 victory. The Spanish rider outdueled the leading contenders on the final climb and strengthened his position at the top of the overall standings. The mountainous 187.4-kilometer stage provided one of the first major tests of the GC contenders during the second week.
Stage 10 – Breakaway Success in Elche de la Sierra
Winner: Bastien Tronchon (Groupama-FDJ United)
Bastien Tronchon captured a surprise victory in Stage 10 after a demanding day featuring several climbs and a difficult uphill approach to the finish. The French rider timed his effort perfectly in a chaotic finale to secure his first Grand Tour stage victory. Enric Mas retained the red jersey as the GC contenders remained closely grouped.
Stage 11 – Brennan Strikes Again in Lorca
Winner: Matthew Brennan (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
Matthew Brennan continued his outstanding debut Vuelta by claiming his third stage victory. A perfectly executed lead-out from teammate Wout van Aert helped Brennan launch his sprint in Lorca, where he held off the fast-finishing field. The result further established the young British rider as one of the race’s standout sprinters.
Stage 12 – Omrzel’s Mountain Breakthrough
Winner: Jakob Omrzel (Bahrain Victorious)
Young Slovenian Jakob Omrzel announced himself on the Grand Tour stage with an impressive solo victory at the summit finish on Calar Alto. Omrzel attacked from the breakaway and powered away during the final climb to claim his first major professional stage victory. Behind him, Mas increased his advantage over several of his principal GC rivals.
Stage 13 – Van Aert Wins in Loja
Winner: Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
Wout van Aert used an aggressive breakaway ride to win Stage 13 after a 192.8-kilometer journey from Almuñécar to Loja. Van Aert made his decisive move late in the stage and then prevailed in a two-rider sprint, giving Visma | Lease a Bike another major victory. Mas safely defended the red jersey during the mountainous day.
Stage 14 – Brenner Claims La Pandera
Winner: Marco Brenner (Tudor Pro Cycling)
Marco Brenner delivered one of the breakthrough performances of the Vuelta with a victory atop Sierra de La Pandera. The German rider survived a large breakaway and outsprinted Santiago Buitrago near the summit to earn his first Grand Tour stage win. The victory was also a historic first Grand Tour stage success for Tudor Pro Cycling.
Stage 15 – Van Aert Doubles Up in Córdoba
Winner: Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
Extreme heat forced organizers to shorten Stage 15 to 110.2 kilometers, but the reduced distance did little to diminish the intensity. Van Aert made his move from the breakaway and won a five-rider sprint in Córdoba, earning his second stage victory of the Vuelta. Enric Mas continued to hold the red jersey as the race headed toward its decisive final week.
