Vuelta 2026: Van Aert triumphs in thrilling, sweltering stage

fotobureau Cor VosVisma | Lease a Bike plays it to perfection in a thrilling stage through the hot Andalusian interior. Wout van Aert and Matthew Brennan are not only part of the breakaway, they are also dictating the race. Van Aert attacks within the final 4 kilometres and outguns Valentin Paret-Peintre in a two-man sprint. Enric Mas retains the red jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Stage 13 Results – 2026 Vuelta

1. Wout van Aert (bel) 4:34:00
2. Valentin Paret-Peintre (fra) s.t.
3. Matthew Brennan (gbr) + 0:24
4. Jarno Widar (bel) s.t.
5. Vincenzo Albanese (ita) s.t.
6. Finn Fisher-Black (nzl) s.t.
7. Kevin Vermaerke (usa) s.t.
8. Léo Bisiaux (fra) s.t.
9. Simon Dalby (den) + 0:28
10. Filippo Zana (ita) + 0:32

24. Mattias Skjelmose (den) + 0:50
- other GC contenders + 3:00

GC after stage 13

1. Enric Mas (spa)
2. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 1:45
3. Felix Gall (aut) + 2:06
4. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 3:53
5. Oscar Onley (gbr) + 4:29
6. Jakob Omrzel (slo) + 4:59
7. Mattias Skjelmose (den) + 5:32
8. Sepp Kuss (usa) + 7:58
9. Harold Tejada (col) + 8:33
10. Clément Berthet (fra) + 11:06

Race report
Domen Novak, Enzo Paleni, Fabio Van den Bossche and Asbjørn Hellemose attack from the get-go. The quartet reach the Alto de la Venta de la Cebada 1 minute ahead of the peloton, but their advantage quickly melts away on the climb. Once they are brought back, Lorenzo Fortunato takes over the attack. The Italian is soon joined by Andreas Kron, before a group of 27 riders, including Wout van Aert, Matthew Brennan, Bruno Armirail, Léo Bisiaux, Finn Fisher-Black, KOM leader Santiago Buitrago, Kevin Vermaerke, Andreas Leknessund and Axel Laurance, bridge across later. The breakaway grows into a group of 43 riders as 16 riders more riders, including GC rider Mattias Skjelmose, also bridge across.

The formation of the breakaway doesn't mean the race settles down. Following a flurry of attacks, Kevin Vermaerke, Matthew Brennan and Andreas Leknessund hit the Alto del Legionario with a 20-second advantage. On the climb, Axel Laurance and seven other riders bridges across to them. By the summit, they are 50 seconds ahead of their former companions and 4 minutes ahead of the peloton.

As the leaders pull further clear of the chasers, Laurance hits the deck and is dropped from the front. He manages to fight his way back, though, rejoining the lead group along with Wout van Aert, Finn Fisher-Black, Santiago Buitrago, Mattias Skjelmose, Valentin Paret-Peintre, Filippo Zana, Jarno Widar and Simon Calby on the final climb of the day, the Puerto de Granada.

Following several attacks, Van Aert, Widar and Vermaerke go clear. As the groups behind them come together, Skjelmose, Finn Fisher-Black, Brennan, Bisiaux, Paret-Peintre, Dalby and Albanese jump across to the trio.

Within the final 4 kilometres, Van Aert launches a devastating attack that only Paret-Peintre can follow. The Frenchman is no match for the green-jersey in the sprint.

There is little change at the top of the general classification, with Enric Mas retaining the red jersey, although Skjelmose moves roughly 2 minutes closer.

Another interesting read: route 13th stage 2026 Vuelta a España.