Vuelta 2026: Brennan strikes again, Mas retains red

fotobureau Cor VosMatthew Brennan takes his fifth stage win in the flattest stage of La Vuelta, outsprinting Jordi Meeus and Magnus Cort on the line. Enric Mas retains the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Stage 17 Results – 2026 Vuelta

1. Matthew Brennan (gbr) 4:07:15
2. Jordi Meeus (bel) s.t.
3. Magnus Cort (den) s.t.
4. Alessandro Romele (ita) s.t.
5. Steffen De Schuyteneer (bel) s.t.
6. Axel Laurance (fra) s.t.
7. Pau Miquel (spa) s.t.
8. César Macías (spa) s.t.
9. Hugo Hofstetter (fra) s.t.
10. Bryan Coquard (fra) s.t.

GC after stage 17

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
Enzo Paleni, Fredrik Dversnes and Sinuhé Fernández get away early, and when Dversnes sits up, the other two press on. They build up a maximum lead of over 5 minutes.

With 15 kilometres to go, the gap has come down to 1 minute, which prompts Paleni to head out alone. The catch is made inside the last 3 kilometres.

In the sprint, Magnus Cort takes the initiative. Wout van Aert guides Matthew Brennan onto the Dane’s wheel, before the Brit finishes it off decisively. Jordi Meeus takes second, but never really looks like challenging for the win.

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 17th stage 2026 Vuelta a España.