{"id":882278,"date":"2026-09-06T16:42:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T16:42:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/882278\/"},"modified":"2026-09-06T16:42:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T16:42:18","slug":"as-it-happened-shortened-stage-15-of-the-vuelta-a-espana-goes-to-a-breakaway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/882278\/","title":{"rendered":"As it happened: shortened stage 15 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a goes to a breakaway"},"content":{"rendered":"

2026-09-06T16:19:04.344Z<\/p>\n

Thanks for joining us today, when the second week of the Vuelta ended with yet another win for Visma-Lease a Bike – their fifth of the Vuelta so far.<\/p>\n

The riders will take a well-earned day off tomorrow for the rest day, but will be back again on Tuesday for a stage 16 that looks like, at long last, one for the sprinters. We\u2019ll be back for that, and every other day of the final week, to bring you more live coverage, an Enric Mas seeks to defend the red jersey.<\/p>\n

\n

\"CORDOBA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T16:10:48.147Z<\/p>\n

Here’s what Van Aert had to say at the finish.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe tried to surprise the bunch, we took control the whole day, and we were still there with a few strong, strong guys to help us. I knew people would not expect that we would choose the attack and I smelled the moment there on the intermediate sprint. With Matthew [Brennan] behind there was no risk at all to give it a try because we always had a good option in the bunch. That was how I like to race.
\n\u201cMy Belgian companions, they were really strong and helped very well, also Romele from Astana. But I think Leknessund gambled a bit for his teammate that was in the back, so we expected an attack from him. But they started up quite late, in the last few kilometres. I just wanted to keep it together and make sure it was a sprint.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n

\"CORDOBA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T16:04:03.118Z<\/p>\n

It was an entertaining battle in the final few kilometres among the breakaway riders. Leknessund was the most aggressive, but Nys was arguably the canniest, nearly catching out the others with his single attack, and then launching a sprint that Van Aert could only defeat as the finish line approached.<\/p>\n

That’s his second third-place finish of the Vuelta so far, and a first ever Grand Tour stage victory looks within his grasp next week.<\/p>\n

\n

\"CORDOBA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:56:29.409Z<\/p>\n

It was a horribly hot day for the riders to compete in, and one man unhappy with the circumstances was Matthew Brennan.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s 41 degrees average. That\u2019s average, so when I was on the climb at the start, it was 44 degrees, and at that point you start thinking: \u2018what are we doing?\u2019 A normal office person has to have the temperature set at 20 degrees or whatever, and I\u2019m sure that the UCI office will have their 20 degrees as well. And we\u2019re out there slogging away for their sake.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s not great, but we do it, and that\u2019s the show we put on. But it wouldn’t surprise me if there were a few bodies coming home tonight with heatstroke.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Matthew Brennan<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:50:31.546Z<\/p>\n

So that’s a second stage win at this year’s Vuelta, and an eighth for the Belgian this year. He had some relatively lean year, by his high standards, but has reverted back to being a regular winner, in what has been his most prolific season since 2022.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:46:44.764Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"Team\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:39:04.967Z<\/p>\n

Movistar have just led the peloton home, about 2:40 after Van Aert. Mas is safely in it, along with all of the GC contenders, so the top ten will remain the same.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:36:57.186Z
\nVAN AERT WINS<\/p>\n

He’s done it again! Nys launched the sprint first, but went early. Van Aert sat on his wheel for most of it, then moved past him in the final metres to take the win. Romele pipped Nys for second.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:35:07.092Z
\n1KM TO GO<\/p>\n

No more attacks have been made, although Nys dummies one as they go under the 1km to go banner. Van Aert leads the group – it’s very tense.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:33:37.776Z<\/p>\n

Nys makes an attack! Romele was tasked with chasing it, but relied upon Van Aert to bring it back.<\/p>\n

Then Leknessund made a counter-attack, and another attack, and both times it was Van Aert who dragged the rest of the group back.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:31:55.671Z<\/p>\n

The games ave started in the lead group, who are now looking at each other, swinging from one side to the other of a wide stretch of road 4km from the finish. Still no attacks from any of them.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:29:11.854Z<\/p>\n

Back in the peloton, Red Bull had applied the pressure on at the front on the descent, perhaps to ask questions of Mas, but have pulled up now they’re on the flat and allowed Movistar to take over. That hasn’t stopped Magnus Cort from making an attack, but it’s hard to understand why – the leaders are two minutes up the road, and are going to contest the stage.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:25:00.055Z
\n10M TO GO<\/p>\n

It’s looking like the stage win will go to one of the five leading riders: Van Aert Romele, Nys, Leknessund or Debruyne. The chase group haven’t made any inroads on the descent, and are still almost a minute behind.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:19:43.715Z<\/p>\n

Van Aert tried an attack just before the summit, but didn’t manage to get a gap.<\/p>\n

Usually, he’d back himself in a sprint against most breakaway groups. But in this case, both Romele and Nys are fast finishers he won’t be 100% confidant about defeating. It will be fascinating to see who, if anyone, from this breakaway group attempts an attack in the final 15km.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:14:26.743Z
\n20KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The five leaders are about to crest the final uncategorised ascent of the day, with a lead over the chasers of just under a minute, and over the peloton of 1:30. Coquard is back in the peloton, but they’re facing a big, unlikely chase to bring these five leaders back.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:08:53.770Z<\/p>\n

Debruyne tried an attack out of the lead group, and led them by a few seconds for a little while, but has just been brought back by them. They have a few more kilometres of undulating terrain before the big downhill plunge to the flat run-in to the finish.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:04:24.610Z<\/p>\n

There’s no control in the peloton anymore, which is very small and short of domestiques. Multiple riders have jumped out of it, though all are in search of the stage wins – the GC men are all in the peloton, which has slowed down.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:02:18.633Z<\/p>\n

For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You’ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! Join today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T15:01:22.120Z<\/p>\n

Nys has managed to join the leading quartet, and there are still more riders behind trying to chase. The peloton are falling further and further adrift, and are now 35 seconds behind them. It’s looking very promising for the breakaway group.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T14:58:39.627Z
\n30KM TO GO<\/p>\n

It’s all kicking off! Debruyne has managed to catch Leknessund, and now they’re about to be joined by two riders – Romele, and none other than Van Aert. More riders have attacked out of the peloton too and trying to bridge up to them.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T14:53:02.332Z
\nKOM – PUERTO ARTAFI <\/p>\n

Leknessund crests the climb 10 seconds ahead of Debruyne, who had attacked out of the peloton earlier on the climb and caught and passed the rest of the breakaway group, but the peloton is now just 25 seconds behind him. The advantage remains firmly in the favour of the peloton, and it’s looking more like we might have a sprint since no significant attacks were made on that climb.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T14:47:43.033Z<\/p>\n

The race is breaking up on this climb! Lekenssund and Azparren had gone clear of Weiss and Thompson, and now Leknessund has gone clear by himself<\/p>\n

Meanwhile in the peloton, riders are being dropped out of the peloton including Coquard, who Cofidis have been working for at the front of the peloton. The Frenchman was calling for a bidon.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T14:44:03.160Z
\n40KM TO GO<\/p>\n

As they take on the climb, four riders have gone clear from the rest of the breakaway group – Weiss, Thompson, Azparren and former stage winner Leknessund, who are now ten seconds ahead of the rest (which also features Gogl, who managed to bridge up from the peloton).<\/p>\n

The peloton is still within striking distance, though, just 35 seconds behind the leading four. Visma are doing the pace-setting again, and has the race under their control.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T14:39:54.290Z<\/p>\n

The riders are about to arrive at the foot of the final, and arguably toughest, climb of the day, the Puerto Artafi. With its 5.9km length and 5.4% average gradient, this one’s been rated a category three, and is likely to form a launchpad for attacks from the peloton, especially as the lead breakaway group is now only about 25 seconds ahead of them.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T14:33:22.573Z<\/p>\n

UAE Team Emirates – XRG might have Oliveira up the road, but they don’t seem to have much faith in him. They’ve just upped the pace in the peloton, taking over from Visma-Lease a Bike.<\/p>\n

After a brief lull, Michael Gogl then attacked out of the peloton, trying to bridge up to the leaders.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T14:26:07.141Z<\/p>\n

UAE are still searching for their first stage win at the Vuelta since Poga\u010dar pulled out of the race. Today Oliveira is the man chasing one, having gotten into the break, but recently it’s been the impressive Kevin Vermaerke who has been their most active rider. He’s taking a well-earned rest in the peloton today.<\/p>\n

‘To be honest, that was not the plan at all’ – Kevin Vermaerke follows his instincts in latest long-distance Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a breakaway move<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T14:18:43.439Z<\/p>\n

Here’s what today’s revised pacrours looks like. Before a final downhill and flat run-in to the finish, it undulates pretty much all day, which will make things hard for the sprinters’ teams to control – and perhaps convince Visma to try an attack with Van Aert rather than depend on Brennan in a bunch sprint.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Modified\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unipublic)<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T14:14:44.316Z
\n60KM TO GO<\/p>\n

We’re almost halfway through this shortened stage, and Visma are still keeping this break on a leash in the undulating terrain, at just 23 seconds. Is the plan to bring them back for a sprint, or for someone – more specifically, Van Aert – to bridge up to them with an attack?<\/p>\n

Cofidis are also still helping the pace-setting, and their plan is more obviously to control things to try and bring about a sprint for Coquard.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T14:09:38.439Z<\/p>\n

Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d has been briefly separated from the rest of his Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe team, having to drop out of the peloton for a bike change. The Slovenian has so far been frustrated in his efforts to dislodge Enric Mas from the top of the GC, and yesterday slipped from second on GC to third behind Felix Gall. But he’s not giving up on winning this race.<\/p>\n

‘Enric is proving hard to match’ – Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe management recognise strength of Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a leader Mas as Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d ships more time<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"CORDOBA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T14:03:11.144Z<\/p>\n

For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You’ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! Join today<\/a>. <\/p>\n

2026-09-06T13:57:51.452Z<\/p>\n

It’s another scorcher of a day in Spain, and though the stage has been shortened, this is still an uncomfortable day to be racing for many in the peloton.<\/p>\n

To make matters harder, it’s been a frenetic start, with no let up yet. Steinhauser has bridged up to the leading group, while the peloton continues to chase them.<\/p>\n

\n

\"CORDOBA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T13:51:32.246Z
\nKOM – PUERTO DE LA FORESTAL <\/p>\n

Leemreize leads the eleven-man breakaway group over the climb, with Georg Steinhauser cresting it just 17 seconds later, then the peloton at 35 seconds. It doesn’t appear as though this breakaway will be allowed to stay out.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T13:48:03.533Z<\/p>\n

There’s been a move in the peloton, with Georg Steinhauser attacking out of it with just less than 2km still to climb. He’s got quite a bit of time to make up on the leaders, who are still about 50 seconds ahead, but he’s a strong climber on form, especially during yesterday’s mountain stage.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T13:43:00.990Z
\n80KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The peloton is still keeping the eleven leaders at about one minute as they climb up the category three Puerto de la Forestal, which rises at 4.5% for 7.5km. Visma-Lease a Bike are the team doing most of the work, with some Cofidis riders also joining them in the line at the front of the peloton.<\/p>\n

\n

\"CORDOBA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T13:33:58.468Z<\/p>\n

Here’s a full run-down of the eleven riders in the break. As they approach the foot of the first climb of the day, their lead is being kept at one minute, by a peloton being led by Visma-Lease a Bike. It might be that the team are wanting to keep them close enough to get their own men to join them on the climb.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T13:26:45.422Z
\n90KM TO GO<\/p>\n

A group of eleven have got up the road, and the peloton has let them have a minute -it appears we have our break of the day, before we’ve even arrived at the first uphill of the day. There are no representatives from Visma however, which might make harm their hopes of survival. They will surely want to chase for their men Van Aert and Brennan.<\/p>\n

\n

\"CORDOBA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T13:18:10.282Z<\/p>\n

While the fight to get into the breakaway continues out front, with Enzo Paleni instigating a new move in which about ten or so riders have a lead of a few seconds, at the back of the peloton Richard Carapaz has had to have a bike change. He’s tried many ambitious attacks already at this Vuelta – does he have another one lined up sometime today? You sense if any of the GC contenders is going to make an unlikely attack today, it’s him; and the team have said that GC remains their priority.<\/p>\n

‘We’re not ruling out anything’ – EF Education-EasyPost confirm Richard Carapaz’s ongoing fight for overall in Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a <\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T13:11:09.143Z<\/p>\n

A group of six riders went clear for a little while, but was brought back, and more moves have followed since – all to no avail. There’s still a lot more flat roads to take on before they arrive at the first climb.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T13:04:44.743Z
\nOFFICIAL START<\/p>\n

And they’re off! There have already been a flurry of attacks, and the peloton is stretched out in one long line – there are clearly many people who want to get into the break today. This is a battle that could rage for some time.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T13:01:06.504Z<\/p>\n

Perhaps the man to look out for more than anyone else in terrain like this is Wout van Aert. He won his first stage of this year’s Vuelta just two days ago – will he add a second today?<\/p>\n

\n

\"Team\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T12:57:07.238Z<\/p>\n

The riders have set off from the neutralised start, with many readying themselves to try and get into the break. Though it undulates for most of the stage, the parcours begins with a flat stretch, which will give some more heavier rouleurs a chance to get into the break.<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T12:50:27.441Z<\/p>\n

This certainly doesn\u2019t seem like a GC day on paper, with only two classified climbs, but anybody still wanting to move up on GC will be consciously aware of the lack of opportunities to come in the final week.<\/p>\n

There will be a couple of flat stages following tomorrow’s rest day before the all-important time trial on Thursday, and then just one hilly day before the climactic queen stage on Saturday, prior to Granada\u2019s finale. Might that prompt some ambitious attacks from GC riders today? The intensity of the shortened parcours might be conducive to such bold moves.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T12:42:06.668Z<\/p>\n

Despite the changes to the parcours, the nature of the stage hasn\u2019t been altered too much, but will instead become a more intense version of the medium mountain stage originally planned. This was always unlikely to be a day for the GC riders, and only one of the three climbs has been taken out, so it will still be the puncheurs and breakaway specialists who will be gunning for victory today.<\/p>\n

Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 stage 15 preview – Distance and climbing reduced on Sunday due to extreme weather protocol<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T12:37:59.049Z<\/p>\n

You join us later than planned, as the stage has been considerably reduced due to the enactment of the extreme weather protocol. The organisers deemed the temperatures dangerously hot, and have consequently taken out a considerable chunk of the parcours. Here\u2019s our lowdown filling you in with all of the details.<\/p>\n

Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 15 shortened by 70km to protect the health of the riders in extreme heat<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-09-06T12:32:24.475Z<\/p>\n

Hello and welcome to stage 15 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"2026-09-06T16:19:04.344Z Thanks for joining us today, when the second week of the Vuelta ended with yet another win…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":882279,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[569],"tags":[64,63,784,85],"class_list":["post-882278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-cycling","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/882278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=882278"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/882278\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/882279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=882278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=882278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=882278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}