Vuelta 2026: Dominant sprint triumph Brennan, Pogacar still in red

fotobureau Cor VosIn Roquetes, a reduced peloton sprints for the win. Visma | Lease a Bike pilots Matthew Brennan perfectly to the finish line, and the young Brit claims his second stage win in five days at the Vuelta. Jordi Meeus and Vincenzo Albanese finish second and third, while Tadej Pogačar retains the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Stage 5 Results – 2026 Vuelta

1. Matthew Brennan (gbr) 3:47:02
2. Jordi Meeus (bel) s.t.
3. Vincenzo Albanese (ita) s.t.
4. Alessandro Romele (ita) s.t.
5. Axel Laurance (fra) s.t.
6. Orluis Aular (ven)
7. Christophe Laporte (fra)
8. Alberto Dainese (ita)
9. Vito Braet (bel) s.t.
10. David González (spa) s.t.

GC after stage 4

1. Tadej Pogacar (slo)
2. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 3:21
3. Enric Mas (spa) + 3:32
4. Sepp Kuss (usa) + 3:44
5. Oscar Onley (gbr) + 3:45
6. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 3:50
7. Felix Gall (aut) + 3:57
8. Mattias Skjelmose (den) + 4:06
9. Jarno Widar (bel) s.t.
10. Jay Vine (aus) + 4:11

Race report
Fredrik Dversnes is the first rider to go on the attack before he is joined by Mattia Gaffuri, Diego Uriarte, Walter Calzoni and Stefan Küng. They open up a lead of over 2 minutes.

As Küng drops out of lead group due to a mechanical, the peloton keeps the attackers within striking distance, around 1 minute, but when echelons form halfway through the stage, the four are quickly caught.

The echelons don't last long, and the peloton then remains together for many kilometres until Ethan Hayter attacks with around 15 kilometres to go to the intermediate sprint. The Brit takes maximum points, while Wout van Aert crosses the line in second, 22 seconds later.

Hayter calls it a day straight away and waits for the peloton. The next rider to attack is Andreas Kron, with 45 kilometres to go. The Dane opens up a 42-second lead, but his effort comes to an end at the foot of the Alto de Paüls.

Kaden Groves and Mads Pedersen are among the riders dropped on the climb before a 60-man peloton crests .

Xabier Mikel Azparren attacks twice in the final 20 kilometres. The first time, Van Aert neutralises the move, and the second time Christophe Laporte shuts it down.

In the finale, Visma | Lease a Bike controls the race to set up Matthew Brennan for the sprint. They execute that plan to perfection, and the young Brit sprints to his second stage win in the four stages completed so far.

There are no changes in the overall classification, meaning Tadej Pogacar retains the red jersey way ahead of Primoz Roglic and Enric Mas.

Another interesting read: route 5th stage 2026 Vuelta a España.