Matthew Brennan sprints for a second Vuelta stage win as Tadej Pogačar stays in control
Matthew Brennan has thrived in another sprint finish to win his second stage in this year’s Spanish Vuelta
ROQUETES, Spain -- Matthew Brennan thrived in another sprint finish to win his second stage in this year's Spanish Vuelta on Wednesday, with race favorite Tadej Pogačar safely maintaining his overall lead.
Brennan, the 21-year-old British rider of team Visma-Lease a Bike, pulled away in the final meters (yards) to secure the win in the fifth stage for his second Grand Tour victory. He had already won the Vuelta's second stage.
Defending Tour de France champion Pogačar, seeking a sweep of Grand Tour titles, stayed in the peloton to maintain his overall lead. He won the Vuelta's first stage and had a dominant performance to win Tuesday's fourth stage.
Pogačar kept an overall lead of 3 minutes, 21 seconds over Primoz Roglic, with Enric Mas other 11 seconds behind in the general classification.
Pogačar, the Slovenian from UAE Team Emirates, made his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta in 2019 but had not returned to the race until this year.
He won the Tour de France for a third straight time and a record-tying fifth overall in July. His Giro d’Italia win in 2024 put him in position to become the ninth male rider to win all three Grand Tours.
After starting in Monaco and going through France and Andorra, the three-week race returned to Spain on Wednesday with riders facing a hilly route that started in Catalonia.
The Vuelta finishes in the southern Spanish city of Granada on Sept. 13.
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