Belgium’s cycling star Wout van Aert has won his first stage of this year’s Vuelta a España on a day dominated by breakaways. The classics specialist prevailed over France’s Valentin Paret-Peintre after a 192.8-kilometre stage from Almunecar to Loja. The pair had broken away from a nine-man breakaway group around four kilometres from the finish. Third place went to van Aert’s British team-mate Matthew Brennan, who had already won three stages.
There were no changes at the top of the overall standings. The Spaniard Enric Mas, who took the lead following Tadej Pogacar’s withdrawal, remains 1 minute and 45 seconds ahead of four-time Vuelta winner Primož Roglič. In third place is the Austrian Felix Gall, 2 minutes and 6 seconds behind Mas.
Tomorrow’s stage features another gruelling mountain finish. Overall leader Mas is the favourite heading into the 154.9-kilometre route to the Sierra de La Pandera. The 11.8-kilometre final climb has an average gradient of 7.5 per cent. Red Bull team captain Roglic cannot really afford to lose any more time if he is to keep his fifth Vuelta victory within reach.
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