Matthew Brennan wins again: his second victory in five stages of La Vuelta

Matthew Brennan continues to seize every opportunity offered by the Vuelta a España 2026. The British rider from Visma-Lease a Bike won with great authority in the fifth stage, contested between Falset and Roquetes, after easily overcoming the Puerto de Paüls and finishing the work of his team in a sprint where Jordi Meeus couldn't even get out of his wheel. This is Brennan's second victory in just five days of racing. Tadej Pogačar maintains his lead in the general classification unchanged.

Matthew Brennan claims his second victory in five stages of La Vuelta

The first day of this edition entirely in Spanish territory offered one of the few opportunities for sprinters, although the 173.4 kilometers between Falset and Roquetes hid enough difficulties to ensure that the sprint was not guaranteed.

The initial breakaway was formed by Stefan Küng, Fredrik Dversnes, Walter Calzoni, Mattia Gaffuri, and Diego Uriarte, although it never had a sufficiently large advantage to really threaten the peloton's options. Küng also fell out of the move after suffering a mechanical problem.

Tension increased in the middle section with the appearance of the wind. Several teams accelerated trying to create echelons, and the peloton split into different groups, although the situation eventually stabilized again.

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La Vuelta stage 5: Roquetes awaits the sprinters, but Puerto de Paüls could shake up the race

The day also saw a crash that led to the abandonment of Roel van Sintmaartensdijk, while Cian Uijtdebroeks did not start after the physical problems he had been carrying since his crash in previous stages.

The Puerto de Paüls eliminates Pedersen and Groves

The race began to be decided in the last 50 kilometers. Before reaching the only categorized climb of the day, Andreas Kron attempted to break away solo, but the peloton always kept his advantage under control.

The Puerto de Paüls, approximately four kilometers at 7.1%, fulfilled its role as a filter.

Kaden Groves had already shown difficulties before starting the climb and lost contact again on its early slopes. Shortly after, a much bigger surprise came: Mads Pedersen also lost contact about 2.5 kilometers from the summit.

The Dane, one of the main favorites before the start, could not find the legs necessary to keep up with the group's pace and definitively lost his chances of contesting the victory.

In contrast, Visma-Lease a Bike passed the climb in an ideal situation. Wout van Aert and Matthew Brennan were perfectly positioned within a peloton reduced to about 60 riders, while UAE controlled the front protecting Pogačar.

From the summit, there were about 25 kilometers to Roquetes, and Pedersen could not return.

Van Aert and Laporte set up Brennan's sprint

The final kilometers showcased the depth of Visma. Van Aert was attentive to several moves and even jumped onto the wheel of Xabier Mikel Azparren when he tried to break away, although UAE quickly neutralized the attack.

Christophe Laporte then responded to another attempt, and the team ultimately decided to prepare the finish for Brennan.

Inside the last kilometer, Van Aert took the lead, before letting Laporte take over. Brennan entered perfectly positioned into the last corner, with Jordi Meeus glued to his wheel.

The Brit did not need to wait.

Brennan launched the sprint from the first position and immediately opened several meters. Meeus tried to follow him but never really got out of his wheel and had to settle for second place.

Brennan stopped the clock at 3:47:02 and thus achieved his second victory in La Vuelta 2026, after also winning in Manosque during the second stage.

Behind, Vincenzo Albanese completed the podium, while Alessandro Romele and Axel Laurance rounded out the top five positions.

Pogačar maintains his huge lead intact

The day did not cause any changes among the main men in the general classification. After his display in Andorra, Tadej Pogačar remains leader with 3:21 over Primož Roglič and 3:32 over Enric Mas.

Sepp Kuss remains fourth at 3:44, just ahead of Oscar Onley and Richard Carapaz.

Brennan, meanwhile, confirms that he is one of the major protagonists at the start of this Vuelta. In just five stages, he already has two victories, both achieved with clear superiority in the sprint.

Top 10 of stage 5 of La Vuelta 2026

1. Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike) – 3:47:02
2. Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) – +00
3. Vincenzo Albanese (EF Education-EasyPost) – +00
4. Alessandro Romele (XDS Astana Team) – +00
5. Axel Laurance (Netcompany INEOS) – +00
6. Orluis Aular (Movistar Team) – +00
7. Christophe Laporte (Visma-Lease a Bike) – +00
8. Alberto Dainese (Soudal Quick-Step) – +00
9. Vito Braet (Lotto-Intermarché) – +00
10. David González (Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) – +00

Top 10 of the general classification after stage 5

1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – 11:26:01
2. Primož Roglič (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) – +3:21
3. Enric Mas (Movistar Team) – +3:32
4. Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) – +3:44
5. Oscar Onley (Netcompany INEOS) – +3:45
6. Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) – +3:50
7. Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM) – +3:57
8. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) – +4:06
9. Jarno Widar (Lotto-Intermarché) – +4:06
10. Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – +4:11