Vuelta 2026: Brennan powers to his fourth win, Mas still lead

fotobureau Cor VosFrom the outset, the riders are heading for a sprint finish on stage 16. Visma | Lease a Bike controls the peloton throughout the day, before Wout van Aert delivers a perfect lead-out for Matthew Brennan. The Brit says thank you by finishing it off in convincing fashion. Enric Mas retains the red jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Stage 16 Results – 2026 Vuelta

1. Matthew Brennan (gbr) 3:56:33
2. Bryan Coquard (fra) s.t.
3. Vito Braet (bel) s.t.
4. Jordi Meeus (bel) s.t.
5. Magnus Cort (den) s.t.
6. Wout van Aert (bel) s.t.
7. Hugo Hofstetter (fra) s.t.
8. Vincenzo Albanese (ita) s.t.
9. Alberto Dainese (ita) s.t.
10. César Macías (ita) s.t.

GC after stage 16

1. Enric Mas (spa)
2. Felix Gall (aut) + 2:06
3. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 2:10
4. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 4:24
5. Oscar Onley (gbr) + 5:44
6. Jakob Omrzel (slo) + 6:14
7. Mattias Skjelmose (den) + 6:49
8. Cristián Rodríguez (spa) + 7:01
9. Clément Berthet (fra) + 7:19
10. Sepp Kuss (usa) + 8:55

Race report
Following a furious opening, Kevin Vermaerke, Valentin Madouas, Simon Dalby, Jasha Sütterlin and Roland Thalmann eventually manage to open up a gap, which they widen to nearly 3 minutes. The five are caught within the final 24 kilometres.

In the closing stages, the peloton remains together, and on the finishing straight, Wout van Aert moves to the front. With a headwind, no one even considers coming alongside him, while Matthew Brennan patiently sits on his wheel.

The Brit comes off Van Aert’s wheel in the final metres and sprints unchallenged to his fourth stage win. Bryan Coquard and Vito Braet finish second and third, while Van Aert keeps sprinting all the way to the line, picking up another 15 points for the green jersey.

There are no changes in the general classification, so Enric Mas retains the red jersey ahead of Felix Gall and Primoz Roglic.

Another interesting read: route 16th stage 2026 Vuelta a España.