Matthew Brennan Secures Third Stage Win at La Vuelta

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

Matthew Brennan won his third stage of the Vuelta a España on the 11th stage, reinforcing his status as a top sprinter in his debut Grand Tour. His achievement makes him the first rider since Tadej Pogacar seven years ago to claim three stage victories in their maiden Grand Tour, highlighting his rapid emergence on the international cycling scene.

British cyclist Matthew Brennan continued his impressive debut at the Vuelta a España by securing his third stage victory on September 2 during the 11th stage, a largely flat route from Cartagena to Lorca. Covering approximately 151 to 154 kilometers, the stage concluded with a sprint finish where Brennan outpaced Bryan Coquard of Cofidis and Jordi Meeus of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.

The stage featured an early breakaway involving four riders, including Britain’s Ethan Hayter, which was eventually reeled in by the peloton. Belgian rider Wout van Aert made a late attempt to break free, but it was Brennan who executed the decisive final sprint to claim the win. At 21 years old and riding for UCI Team Visma-Lease a Bike, Brennan has quickly emerged as a prominent sprinter in his first Grand Tour appearance, having also won the second and fifth stages.

Brennan’s three stage wins mark a significant achievement, making him the first rider to win three stages in their maiden Grand Tour since Tadej Pogacar achieved the same feat seven years ago. He is also the youngest cyclist to secure multiple stage victories in the Vuelta since Pogacar’s breakthrough performance in 2019. Brennan credited his team’s collective effort throughout the race, emphasizing the support from experienced teammates who have previously won Grand Tours and classic races.

In the overall classification, Movistar’s Enric Mas maintained the leader’s red jersey by finishing with the main peloton. Mas took over the race lead following Pogacar’s withdrawal earlier this week due to a fractured left collarbone sustained in a crash while leading the general classification. Mas currently holds a 1 minute 18 second advantage over Primoz Roglic of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, who is pursuing a record fifth Vuelta title.

Looking ahead, stage 12 presents a challenging mountain route featuring the traditional double climbs of Velefique and Calar Alto. This stage is expected to be crucial for contenders vying for the overall victory.

Elsewhere in cycling, Britain’s Lewis Askey claimed the opening stage win at the Tour of Britain held in Lincoln. Askey attacked on the cobbled Michaelgate climb and went clear to secure victory ahead of Italian rider Filippo Ganna and Belgian Tim Wellens.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.