Van Aert wins second straight Vuelta stage in Córdoba, eyes final Granada finish
Wout van Aert won stage 15 of the Vuelta a España in Córdoba, marking his second victory in three days and fifth of the race. The stage was shortened by 80km due to extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 44°C. Van Aert won from a five-rider breakaway, while Visma-Lease a Bike teammate Matthew Brennan won stage 13. General classification leader Enric Mas retained the red jersey with no time changes.
Key points
- Van Aert won stage 15 from a five-rider breakaway, beating Alessandro Romele and Thibau Nys in a sprint.
- The stage was shortened by 80km due to extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 44°C on the climb.
- Van Aert and teammate Matthew Brennan have won five of the 15 stages so far in the Vuelta.
- Van Aert expressed interest in winning the final stage in Granada, comparing it to the Tour de France's Montmartre finish.
- General classification leader Enric Mas retained the red jersey with no time changes after the stage.
Background
Van Aert won stage 13 of the Vuelta a España, beating Valentin Paret-Peintre in a sprint. The stage was 192.8km long, and Van Aert won from a breakaway of 43 riders. Matthew Brennan finished third. Enric Mas retained the red jersey with a 1 minute and 45 seconds lead over Primoz Roglic.
How outlets are covering it
Cyclingnews emphasized Van Aert's tactical approach and his interest in the final stage in Granada. The Guardian highlighted the extreme heat and Matthew Brennan's concerns about rider safety. Escape Collective focused on the stage being shortened and the lack of GC changes. BBC reported on Van Aert's stage 13 win and the overall race standings.
Why it matters
Van Aert's form is a confidence boost for the upcoming Road World Championships. His ability to win multiple stages in the Vuelta demonstrates his versatility and strength in both breakaways and sprints. The extreme heat and shortened stages raise concerns about rider safety and the impact of weather on race outcomes.
What to watch
The Vuelta a España will have a rest day on Monday, followed by a difficult mountain stage on Saturday. Van Aert is expected to target the final stage in Granada, which has a similar profile to the Tour de France's Montmartre finish. The Road World Championships are also approaching, with Van Aert's form being a key factor in his selection.
- Wout van Aert clinches second career Vuelta a España victory in Córdoba Cyclingnews
- ‘What are we doing?’: Brennan’s anger at racing in 44C heat as Van Aert wins shortened stage The Guardian
- Van Aert takes Visma's fifth win of the Vuelta on shortened stage 15 Escape Collective
- Van Aert powers to victory on stage 13 of Vuelta BBC
- Van Aert rules an attacking festival La Vuelta
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