Enric Mas proves once again that he is the strongest, while young Omrzel wins and confirms his potential at Calar Alto

Jakob Omrzel has signed one of the big surprises of La Vuelta a España 2026 by winning stage 12 with a finish at Calar Alto. The 20-year-old Slovenian was the strongest in a large breakaway and achieved the first major victory of his professional career, while behind Enric Mas once again demonstrated that, right now, he is the strongest man among the favorites and extended his lead at the top of the general classification.

Enric Mas continues to open a gap and Jakob Omrzel arrives at La Vuelta with a huge victory at Calar Alto

The 166.6-kilometer stage between Vera and the Calar Alto Astronomical Observatory turned into a day of confirmations. Up front, Jakob Omrzel emerged definitively, the youngest rider in the entire peloton of this Vuelta, while behind Enric Mas once again made a difference over Primož Roglič, Felix Gall, and the rest of the podium candidates.

The day began with a long battle to form the breakaway. Finally, a huge group of about 30 riders consolidated, including Wout van Aert, Santiago Buitrago, João Almeida, Tobias Halland Johannessen, Ramses Debruyne, Mauri Vansevenant, Urko Berrade, and Omrzel himself.

Movistar allowed the gap to grow above seven minutes, a lead sufficient to soon make it clear that the stage victory would be decided up front.

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At the Alto de Velefique, a 13.1-kilometer climb at 7.2%, the final selection began. Tobias Halland Johannessen, one of the major candidates from the break, gave way earlier than expected, while Omrzel showed completely different legs from many of his adventure companions.

The young Slovenian accelerated alongside Léo Bisiaux and began to further select the race before the descent towards Calar Alto.

Omrzel seals the deal on the slopes of Calar Alto

The final climb confirmed what was sensed at Velefique. Omrzel remained among the strongest as the breakaway began to disintegrate, and when the decisive moment arrived, he left Urko Berrade behind.

The Bahrain Victorious rider went off alone, and no one could catch up.

Omrzel crossed the finish line in 4:29:53, with Berrade at 1:56 and Santiago Buitrago at 2:13. Behind them came Alexey Lutsenko and Mauri Vansevenant.

The victory represents a huge leap for a rider who is just 20 years, 5 months, and 13 days old and who had already arrived at professionalism with great expectations after winning the Giro Next Gen in 2025.

Enric Mas responds to Gall and is once again the strongest among the favorites

While Omrzel secured the victory, the battle for the general classification opened up behind.

Decathlon CMA CGM took on much of the work again and toughened the final climb for Felix Gall. The Austrian launched his attack about 12 kilometers from the finish and managed to select the group of favorites.

Enric Mas and Primož Roglič were able to respond initially, while riders like Oscar Onley, Sepp Kuss, or Mattias Skjelmose began to lose ground. But the definitive response came shortly after.

Mas attacked and left both Gall and Roglič behind. The leader's acceleration was strong enough to quickly open a gap of nearly half a minute.

Movistar had also prepared the ground well. Raúl García Pierna, a member of the break, waited for his leader and was able to help him during some of the less demanding sections of Calar Alto.

Behind, something similar happened. Roglič had Luke Tuckwell and Gall had Gregor Mühlberger, two riders who had been up front and helped to partially reduce the loss.

Enric Mas finished sixth, 2:56 behind Omrzel, and managed to put 27 more seconds into the group of Gall, Roglič, and Richard Carapaz.

The result further strengthens the leadership of the Mallorcan. Roglič is now 1:45 behind, while Gall is 2:06 back.

Oscar Onley was one of the big losers of the day and falls to fifth place, while Omrzel turns his victory into something much greater: he rises to sixth place in the general classification, 4:59 behind Mas.

Top 10 of stage 12 of La Vuelta a España 2026

Top 10 of the General after stage 12 of La Vuelta 2026