Matthew Brennan secured his third stage victory at the 2026 Vuelta a España by winning the 11th stage, a 153.8-kilometer sprint finish in Lorca on Wednesday. The 21-year-old British rider, competing for Visma-Lease a Bike, crossed the line ahead of Bryan Coquard and Jordi Meeus. The overall race leader, Enric Mas, maintained his hold on the red jersey.

The stage, which started in Cartagena, was largely flat and forecasted as favorable for sprinters. An early breakaway formed, featuring Ethan Hayter among four riders, but the group was reeled back with approximately 90 kilometers remaining. The peloton began to fragment during the sole significant climb of the stage, the Morron de Totana, located about 30 kilometers from the finish. Despite the increased pace, all primary sprint contenders, including Mas, remained in a reduced peloton.

Teams Visma-Lease a Bike, Pinarello Q36.5, and Uno-X Mobility led the peloton as the race approached its conclusion. The final kilometers through the streets of Lorca were challenging due to tight corners and numerous road obstacles. Brennan positioned himself strongly entering the last U-turn before launching his final sprint to the finish. He managed to hold off Coquard without difficulty, while Meeus narrowly finished ahead of Magnus Cort. Wout van Aert, who played a crucial role as Brennan’s lead-out rider, finished fifth.

Brennan acknowledged the efforts of his teammates in his success. "The boys did a fantastic job within that last 10km to really keep us in the right place, in the right position, out of trouble," he said. He also expressed gratitude toward Van Aert and the broader team, highlighting their experience and past achievements in major races. Visma-Lease a Bike’s support has been a key factor in his strong performance during his debut Grand Tour.

The stage was marked by the withdrawal of Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek due to illness earlier on Wednesday, a development that enhances Brennan’s prospects for further success in the race.

With three stage wins, Brennan continues to impress as the Vuelta approaches its final phases, while Enric Mas remains the frontrunner in the overall standings.