Enric Mas wins Vuelta a Espana as Matthew Brennan falls short of record sixth stage victory
Spain's Enric Mas secured the overall Vuelta a Espana title, while Britain's Matthew Brennan finished fourth on the final stage, missing a chance to claim a record sixth win in his debut Grand Tour.
Enric Mas of Spain claimed the red jersey in the 2026 Vuelta a Espana after the race's final 112 km stage in Granada, while British rider Matthew Brennan, who had already taken five stage wins, finished fourth. The race was reshaped when pre-race favourite Tadej Pogacar withdrew on stage eight following a crash that left him with facial injuries and a broken collarbone, requiring surgery.
Brennan, 21, rode for Visma-Lease a Bike and had been praised for his sprinting success, drawing comparisons to former champion Mark Cavendish. After his fifth stage win, he said, "We came here as a team to win stages, but we never dreamed of winning seven. We're making history."
The Vuelta featured a contested sprint finish in which Norway's Tobias Halland Johannessen edged Italy's Alessandro Romele. The event also highlighted safety concerns after Brennan criticized the sport's governing body for decisions made "in their air-conditioned offices" during extreme heat conditions.
Other notable riders included Oscar Onley of Britain, Ecuador's Richard Carapaz, Austria's Felix Gall, and four-time Vuelta winner Primož Roglič. Mas, riding for Movistar, secured his first Grand Tour victory after a decisive stage nine performance to the Costa Blanca.
The race coincided with broader discussions about rider safety and the growing presence of British cyclists on the World Tour, as the sport prepares for next year's Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes start in the United Kingdom.