2026-08-30T16:39:00.336Z

Tomorrow La Vuelta has a rest day before a brutal second week. But, today, it looks like Enric Mas could well go on to win his first ever Grand Tour with a magnificent victory.

>>> Vuelta a España: Race leader Enric Mas outsprints Oscar Onley to win stage 9 on Alto de Aitana

ALTO DE AITANA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: (L-R) Stage winner Enric Mas of Spain and Movistar Team - Red Leader Jersey and Oscar Onley of Great Britain and Netcompany INEOS Cycling Team - White Best Young Rider Jersey attack in the final climb during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Alto de Aitana, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T16:37:32.302Z

And finally Wout Van Aert keeps his green jersey by 57 points over teammate Matthew Brennan. That said, Alessandro Romele closed to 65 points after winning the intermediate sprint today.

ALTO DE AITANA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Wout Van Aert of Belgium and Team Visma | Lease a Bike celebrates at podium as Green Points Jersey winner during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Alto de Aitana, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T16:17:51.283Z

Onley remains firmly in white by almost 6 minutes over Omrzel.

ALTO DE AITANA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Oscar Onley of Great Britain and Netcompany INEOS Cycling Team celebrates at podium as White Best Young Rider Jersey winner during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Alto de Aitana, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T16:15:53.088Z

Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) is the new KOM leader.

ALTO DE AITANA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Santiago Buitrago of Colombia and Team Bahrain Victorious celebrates at podium as Polka Dot Mountain Jersey winner during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Alto de Aitana, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T16:12:41.336Z

Enric Mas has a huge smile everywhere he goes now.

Overall leader Team Movistar's Spanish rider Enric Mas celebrates on the podium after winning the 9th stage of the Vuelta a Espana 2026 cycling tour, a 187,4 km race between Villajoyosa and Alto de Aitana in Confrides, on August 30, 2026. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T16:10:52.077Z

An incredible feeling for Mas.

ALTO DE AITANA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Enric Mas of Spain and Movistar Team celebrates at podium as stage winner during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Alto de Aitana, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T16:00:44.951Z

Mas now leads Roglič by 1’18” in the GC at the end of week one. Gall at 1’39”, Onley at 2’20”, Carapaz at 3’26”, Skjelmose at 3’57”, Kuss drops to 4’09”, Tejada is at 4’39”, Muhlberger still in the top 10 at 7’33” and 10th in GC at the end of the first week is young Jakob Omrzel (Bahrain Victorious) at 8’05”.

2026-08-30T15:55:17.205Z

Superb ride by Mas but also from Onley as well. Roglič just 12″ back then Gall at 18″ then an epic ride by Cristian Rodriguez (XDS-Astana) leading in Skjelmose at 20″. Widar at 25″, Tejada 33″, Carapaz 54″, Buitrago rounds out the top 10 at 1’41”. Kuss lost 1’44”.

ALTO DE AITANA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: (L-R) Enric Mas of Spain and Movistar Team - Red Leader Jersey celebrates at finish line as stage winner ahead of Oscar Onley of Great Britain and Netcompany INEOS Cycling Team - White Best Young Rider Jersey during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Alto de Aitana, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T15:38:29.371Z

Movistar’s first win at La Vuelta for five years!

2026-08-30T15:38:13.749Z

Enric Mas of Movistar wins stage 9 of La Vuelta! He ends Spain’s and Movistar’s draught at the race and he definitively leads the race.

Team Movistar's Spanish rider Enric Mas celebrates his victory followed by Team Netcompany Ineos' Scottish rider Oscar Onley during the 9th stage of the Vuelta a Espana 2026 cycling tour, a 187,4 km race between Villajoyosa and Alto de Aitana in Confrides, on August 30, 2026. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T15:37:11.186Z

250 metres to go and it will be between Mas and Onley today for the stage.

2026-08-30T15:36:37.822Z

500 metres to go. Mas leads Onley with Roglič using everything to ramp up to close in on them but doesn’t seem to be able to get there.

2026-08-30T15:36:04.462Z
Flamme Rouge!

Mas continues to push to try and keep Roglič off the back but he isn’t losing much. Onley is still locked onto Mas’ wheel. Gall and co have 34″ to close as Carapaz is just off the back of that group. 1’25” to Kuss.

2026-08-30T15:34:39.776Z

1’15” back to Kuss.

2026-08-30T15:34:23.172Z

25″ back to Gall and the rest now. This is quite the ride from Mas, Onley and perhaps expected from Roglič.

2026-08-30T15:33:50.665Z
Attack

Enric Mas

As soon as Roglič got on the red jersey kicked hard to deaden his rival’s legs but Onley is still with Mas with 1.5km to go.

2026-08-30T15:33:11.280Z

Roglič makes it across to Mas and Onley with 18″ back to Gall and the rest.

2026-08-30T15:32:46.355Z
2km to go

Roglič leaving Widar behind and is closing in on Mas and Onley.

2026-08-30T15:32:16.516Z

Roglič now pushing on to try and get across to Mas and Onley who are working together. Widar able to stay with Roglič, though.

2026-08-30T15:31:46.048Z

Widar is the man leading the chase behind them with Roglič as the rest are struggling to close up to the Slovenian.

2026-08-30T15:31:13.492Z
Attack

Enric Mas

The red jersey launches and leaves everyone behind. The Spaniard does has Onley chasing him down, though. The man from Kelso joins the Spanish favourite with just under 3km to go.

2026-08-30T15:30:19.077Z
Attack

Matias Skjelmose
Harold Tejada
Jarno Widar

They get back in and immediately attack. Buitrago tries to join but he is followed by Gall and the rest as Gall kicks off again.

2026-08-30T15:29:16.474Z
Attack

Felix Gall

Onley, Roglič follow well. Mas was poorly placed but responded well with Carapaz having to work harder to close. Widar and Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS-Astana) get back in as does Buitrago with Skjelmose and Tejada not far off.

2026-08-30T15:27:39.402Z

Widar, Sivakov and Buitrago all distanced for now.

2026-08-30T15:27:14.866Z
Attack

Santiago Buitrago (TBV)

He was in the gap but wasn’t reported. Gall closes him down and gets a gap for the first time but Mas just eases out of the saddle and closes him down again.

2026-08-30T15:26:25.982Z

Carapaz catches Sivakov along with a surprising appearance from Buitrago, but all the GC riders come back again with 4km to go.

2026-08-30T15:25:50.295Z
Attack

Oscar Onley (NCI)

He gets a gap and Mas flies across the gap to the white jersey with Gall unable to react to it.

2026-08-30T15:24:50.491Z

Widar tried a little move but he was heavily marked. No-one is pushing to join Carapaz who now has Sivakov in his sights. That is 5 minutes at the bottom of this climb almost closed.

2026-08-30T15:24:02.694Z
Attack

Richard Carapaz (EFE)

The Ecuadorian has stolen a march here with the rest not reacting at all. This is how he won the Giro, of course. He catches Filippo Zana who was in the gap.

2026-08-30T15:23:03.678Z

Camprubi and the rest of the break are caught with only Sivakov remaining. Debruyne (Alpecin-Premier Tech) sits in after being caught from the break.

2026-08-30T15:22:02.414Z

GC group:

Mas, Gall, Roglič, Onley, Carapaz, Tejada, Widar.

2026-08-30T15:21:04.627Z

Harold Tejada has got back in as well.

2026-08-30T15:20:46.597Z
Attack

Felix Gall

Widar follows and pushes on himself as Skjelmose is dropped.

2026-08-30T15:20:15.344Z

Lots of riders get back into the GC group.

2026-08-30T15:19:49.834Z

6km to go as Sivakov has 33″ on Camprubi and 1’05” on the GC group.

2026-08-30T15:19:23.286Z

Matias Skjelmose gets back in with the GC favourites.

2026-08-30T15:18:43.999Z
Attack

Felix Gall (DCT)

Enric Mas follows with Primož Roglič, Oscar Onley and Richard Carapaz.

2026-08-30T15:17:37.653Z

Kuss starting to lose a little bit of a gap as other riders lose tough and Sepp Kuss is distanced.

2026-08-30T15:16:37.625Z

Another 10″ clipped off Sivakov’s gap as the pace continues to go up and up in the GC group. 1’31” between them now.

2026-08-30T15:14:30.613Z

Muhlberger takes over. He is in flying form for Gall and is in the top 10 on GC himself. This may see some major gaps begin to form. 1’48” up to Sivakov.

2026-08-30T15:12:20.121Z

Sivakov now does definitively gap Camprubi.

2026-08-30T15:11:53.416Z

Bisiaux takes over from Riccitello in the peloton with Muhlberger waiting to take on the final turn for Gall before they launch the Austrian GC rider.

2026-08-30T15:11:14.612Z

Camprubi isn’t done yet and comes back to Sivakov.

2026-08-30T15:10:35.431Z
Attack

Sivakov gaps Camprubi but with just over 2 minutes to the GC riders it may not be enough.

2026-08-30T15:10:01.093Z

Riccitello now takes over the pace setting in the peloton.

2026-08-30T15:09:09.176Z
10km to go

Riders getting the last feed as, due to the heat, the cut off was 10km to go today. 2’22” between the leaders and the peloton now.

2026-08-30T15:07:45.532Z

Sivakov and Camprubi are still pushing hard but the peloton are now at 2’45” with over 10km to go. It looks like the GC will fight for the stage after all!

ALTO DE AITANA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: (L-R) Marcel Camprubi of Spain and Team Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro Cycling and Pavel Sivakov of France and UAE Team Emirates XRG competes in the breakaway during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Alto de Aitana, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T15:02:13.642Z

These two out front are riding well but there is a long way to go on this climb with the hardest gradients still to come.

🏁 15 km | Stage 9️⃣ – Etapa 9️⃣ | #LaVuelta26
🤝 Sivakov and Camprubí are together in front with 1’30” on their direct chasers
👊 Sivakov y Camprubí colaboran en cabeza. Los perseguidores, a minuto y medio
⏱️ 3’48” Pelotón

— @lavuelta.bsky.social (@lavuelta.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2026-08-30T15:01:48.384Z

2026-08-30T15:01:28.304Z

Labrosse is finally done. Sander De Pestel takes over ahead of Leo Bisiaux, Callum Scotson, Matthew Riccitello and Gregor Muhlberger with Gall.

2026-08-30T15:00:31.116Z

With 15km to go the two leaders have 1’05” on the first chasers then 1’31” to the second chase group. The peloton now at 3’36” with Labrosse still leading!

2026-08-30T14:58:47.016Z

Decathlon-CMA CGM have five riders still with Gall while the rest are struggling. Labrosse is riding the Movistar riders out of the train and he had to sit up briefly to allow his teammates across to him.

2026-08-30T14:57:30.676Z

Several riders losing touch in the peloton with Labrosse absolutely flying on the front for Gall. Jarno Widar (Lotto-Intermarché) really struggling at the back.

2026-08-30T14:51:14.123Z

Decathlon-CMA CGM are really upping the pace in the peloton now. The gap is falling rather quickly as they look to set up Felix Gall.

2026-08-30T14:49:17.719Z
20km to go

The chase group are firing off attacks all the time with Buitrago and Lutsenko the first to really get a gap.

2026-08-30T14:47:54.030Z

Romele can not follow Sivakov and Camprubi as they start the climb with around 50 minutes of climbing ahead. They take the chance to get the last few bottles of water before feeding closes. 38.5 degrees C out there.

2026-08-30T14:46:42.548Z

Romele, Sivakov and Camprubi have 1’23” on the chasers and 5’02” on the peloton. It isn’t done for the peloton just yet.

2026-08-30T14:45:14.427Z

Onto the Alto de Aitana we go! 22km at 5.8% but with some brutal kicks in the second half in the restricted military zone.

2026-08-30T14:40:10.673Z

This leading trio have ridden superbly and now have a minute on the chase group.

2026-08-30T14:37:01.119Z
30km to go

Romele, Camprubi and Sivakov lead the chase group of 19 riders by 47″ with the Decathlon-CMA CGM led peloton at 5’19”. It is still all up for grabs with the Aitana looming in about 8km from now.

2026-08-30T14:33:41.897Z

Decathlon-CMA CGM are using up Bastien Tronchon and Jordan Labrosse on the front of the peloton for the moment. 5’21” gap from them to the three leaders.

2026-08-30T14:27:43.533Z

The chase group is now in bits with riders all over the road after one final uncategorised rise before a descent to the valley then 10km of flat before starting the final 22km climb of the Alto de Aitana.

2026-08-30T14:22:28.939Z

Romele caught by Camprubi and Sivakov.

2026-08-30T14:22:01.546Z
40km to go

Sivakov and Camprubi are about to catch Romele with their gap at just 8″ with the next chase group at 44″ and the peloton at 5’50”.

2026-08-30T14:16:37.962Z
KOM (Puerto de Benufallim)

1. Romele (XAT) 5pts 6″
2. Sivakov (UAX) 3pts 4″
3. Camprubi (PQT) 1pt 2″

2026-08-30T14:14:38.070Z

And it is Sivakov who joins Camprubi.

2026-08-30T14:14:16.702Z

One of the UAE riders has got away from the rest and is trying to bridge across to Camprubi who is now stuck at 22″ from a flying Romele.

2026-08-30T14:12:07.794Z

Aular sits up and is dropped by the peloton. That was a bit day at the front of the peloton but he did a superb job.

2026-08-30T14:11:30.787Z

Sivakov and Vermaerke are pushing again in the chase group to try and continue to split things.

2026-08-30T14:10:40.062Z

Camprubi riding strongly in that Spanish champions jersey. He has closed to 20″ to Romele already.

2026-08-30T14:08:54.140Z

And the front of the peloton changes. Decathlon-CMA CGM hit the front with two riders as Movistar were letting the gap drift a bit. This changes things yet again in the battle for the stage as well as the GC.

2026-08-30T14:07:33.881Z
50km to go

The lead for Romele is still go on this climb. As Camprubi sets off after the young Italian.

2026-08-30T14:05:49.473Z

The gap has cracked open back to the peloton with it now just over 6 minutes.

2026-08-30T14:05:23.887Z

Kung and Paret-Peintre have been caught as Sivakov attacks the group to try and get across the 49″ gap to Romele who is riding superbly well at the moment.

2026-08-30T14:03:41.828Z

Onto the penultimate climb of the day now, the cat 2 Puerto de Benufallim with the climb being 5km at 5.8% with bonus seconds also available at the top.

2026-08-30T14:02:41.459Z

Romele takes the intermediate sprint with two chasers being Stefan Kung and Valentin Paret-Peintre, two riders that couldn’t be more different. The big Swiss rider takes 2nd in the intermediate sprint and his French attacking partner takes 3rd.

2026-08-30T13:59:27.230Z

Romele has put 45″ into the rest of the break thanks to that superb descent by the Italian rider who is really a sprinter more than anything else. Very impressive.

2026-08-30T13:57:52.580Z
Attack

Alessandro Romele (XDS-Astana)

He’s had enough of the breakaway and goes solo on the descent as a few riders have been taken out of the back due to the speed.

2026-08-30T13:53:29.805Z

Abandon

Victor Langellotti (XDS-Astana)

2026-08-30T13:53:07.180Z
60km to go

The gap just begins to grow again as Aular retakes the lead from Canal in the peloton.

2026-08-30T13:49:57.255Z

The gap up to the break now drops below 4 minutes for the first time in some time.

2026-08-30T13:47:59.213Z
KOM (Puerto de Tudons)

1. Buitrago (TBV) 5pts
2. Calzoni (PQT) 3pts
3. Leemreize (TPP) 1pt

2026-08-30T13:43:33.382Z

All the riders ahead of the peloton have now come together to make a 24 man breakaway with 1.5km to go the top of the climb. Their gap continues to fall and is now 4’04”.

2026-08-30T13:42:45.380Z

This picture gives a perfect view of the team order in the bunch. Movistar lead ahead of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, Decathlon-CMA CGM, Visma-Lease a Bike, Netcompany-Ineos, EF Edcuation-EasyPost and the rest.

ALTO DE AITANA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Jorge Arcas of Spain, Orluis Aular of Venezuela and Movistar Team with teammates lead the peloton passing the Puerto de Tollos (830m) during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Alto de Aitana, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T13:39:19.767Z

It does appear that Movistar are upping the pace in the peloton as they take another 10″ off the time up to the leaders.

2026-08-30T13:37:27.268Z
70km to go

Currently just under 4km to the top of the Puerto de Tudons.

2026-08-30T13:34:38.831Z

Movistar still leads behind just ahead of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and Decathlon-CMA CGM with the rest huddled behind them. The gap has come down a but to 4’33”.

2026-08-30T13:31:15.571Z

Of course, Roglič is the most experienced with four La Vuelta wins and five Grand Tour wins. He could get the out right record for wins in this race if he wins the red jersey in Granada.

2026-08-30T13:30:27.562Z

Kuss, who sits fourth at 2’15” off Mas, has won this race before. The year he won was the last time he had ridden all three Grand Tours in the same year. He is doing that again at this race.

2026-08-30T13:29:02.119Z

It will be very interesting to see how the GC battle goes for the rest of the race. The top 10 in GC is split by just over 6 minutes. However, the top 8 are split by under 4 minutes with Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana), Matias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), Oscar Onley (Netcompany-Ineos), Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike), Felix Gall (Decathlon-CMA CGM) and Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) are all in with a shout to challenge Enric Mas (Movistar).

2026-08-30T13:22:36.039Z

The riders now head into the Sierra de la Carrasca. It is a very rugged looking part of the world. The leaders have just over 3km to the next climb of the cat 2 Puerto de Tudons (7km at 5.3%).

2026-08-30T13:14:22.403Z
80km to go

Movistar continue to set the tempo in the peloton with around 5 minutes between the break and peloton.

ALTO DE AITANA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Enric Mas of Spain and Movistar Team - Red Leader Jersey (R) with teammates compete passing the Puerto de Tollos (830m) during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Alto de Aitana, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T13:11:02.728Z

Vermaerke and Leemreize drop back to the cars from the lead group. Two former teammates with the American Vermaerke formally riding for Leemreize’s Picnic-PostNL. And they do right being at the car, the temperature is above 34 degrees out there.

2026-08-30T13:08:27.059Z

The lead group grows to 20 riders as they ride through the enxtremely rugged and dramatic landscape of the Serra Serella.

ALTO DE AITANA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: A general view of the peloton passing the Puerto de Tollos (830m) during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Alto de Aitana, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T13:03:31.022Z

More riders are getting back in as we descend the climb. Vermeersch was dropped on the last climb on the steep gradients but is back in now as is Valter, Camprubi and the rest out front.

2026-08-30T13:00:59.631Z
KOM (Puerto de Tollos)

1. Buitrago (TBV) 3pts
2. Calzoni (PQT) 2pts
3. Leemreize (TPP) 1pt

2026-08-30T13:00:11.210Z
90km to go

It is lunch time in the peloton. Several teams have riders back at the cars getting food for their riders.

2026-08-30T12:55:50.172Z

Attila Valter (TBV) is very close to getting onto the back of the lead group.

2026-08-30T12:55:13.998Z

And the gap drifts beyond 5 minutes now.

2026-08-30T12:53:41.288Z

The gap continues to grow to 4’45”. The stage still seems in the balance between the stage going to the break and a big GC challenge for the stage. It could go either way with the gap as it it.

2026-08-30T12:50:43.625Z

Buitrago snaps clear with a sharp acceleration and takes another max points on the Tollos climb. He leads Leknessund by 5 points now.

2026-08-30T12:47:08.311Z

At around the halfway point on the road. Movistar have let another minute slip away with 4’41” up to the leaders now with 98km to go.

2026-08-30T12:40:12.872Z
100km to go

Onto the next climb, the cat 3 Puerto de Tollos. 4km long at 5.8%.

2026-08-30T12:39:16.597Z

Here is a view of what the riders have just been tackling on the previous categorised climb…

🥵 2️⃣3️⃣% 🥵
Could you do it? ¿Podrías con este rampón?
#LaVuelta26

— @lavuelta.bsky.social (@lavuelta.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2026-08-30T12:38:56.237Z

2026-08-30T12:38:33.522Z

Mackellar has been dropped from the lead group with Calzoni joining it. His teammates of Camprubi and Vader aren’t far away, either.

2026-08-30T12:33:12.357Z

The Movistar led peloton ae still around 3’30”. They really look like they are wanting to set things up for Mas to win in the leader’s red jersey. To end the unwanted streak without a stage win for the Spanish squad at this race.

2026-08-30T12:28:20.502Z

Zana, Camprubi, Vader and Valter are now about 50″ off the back of the leaders. That would be a great ride by them if they make it.

2026-08-30T12:24:51.505Z
KOM (Puerto de El Miserat)

1. Buitrago (TBV) 10pts
2. Sivakov ((UAX) 6pts
3. Lutsenko (NSN) 4pts

That sees Buitrago take the lead in the KOM standings by just 2 points over the man who wears the jersey, Andreas Leknessund (UXM).

2026-08-30T12:20:41.115Z

Buitrago attacks the lead group for the points and he takes them ahead of Sivakov and Lutsenko.

2026-08-30T12:19:20.049Z

The gradients are so steep they still have 350 metre of climbing this ascent.

2026-08-30T12:17:01.245Z

1km to the top of the Miserat climb with Kevin Vermaerke (UAX) leading the front group.

2026-08-30T12:13:54.514Z

Movistar have settled on holding the break at around 3’15” with Venezuelan champion Aular setting the tempo.

2026-08-30T12:08:15.408Z

The peloton dropping a lot of riders including the Monaco champion Victor Langellotti (XDS-Astana) who we would expect to be up there for longer than he has.

2026-08-30T12:06:19.613Z

Walter Calzoni (Pinarello-Q36.5) has attacked the chase group to try and bridge the gap to the leaders.

2026-08-30T12:05:20.483Z

The peloton have let the break go. They are 3’38” down on the leaders.

2026-08-30T12:04:56.298Z

Onto the Miserat climb. Immediately a very narrow and dusty roads.

2026-08-30T12:00:28.218Z

The leaders are made up of 15 riders now with a gap of 1’34” to a group of 12. Then it is a further 1’49” to the peloton. The race looks like it has finally settled down.

2026-08-30T11:58:06.878Z

The riders are 2km from the start of the next climb, the brutally hard Puerto de El Miserat which is a category 1 climb that is 5km long with an average of 10% with slopes hitting over 20%. The team cars will also be removed as the climb is very narrow.

2026-08-30T11:52:08.359Z

Movistar are now taking full control of the peloton with a rider in the chase group as well with Raul Garcia Pierna.

2026-08-30T11:49:46.303Z

The gap to the chase group is 1’04” with the peloton likely not too far behind. Pinarello-Q36.5 getting three riders involved in this chase group.

2026-08-30T11:48:05.472Z
Crash

Fedorov (XAT)
Double (JAY)
Craps (LOI)

I believe that is everyone involved with Double looking like the worst effected but all up and riding again.

2026-08-30T11:47:08.252Z

There’s another new chase group made up of about 10 riders including a Movistar rider. Very interesting that yet another move goes.

2026-08-30T11:45:58.064Z
130km to go

Movistar lead the peloton but the break are working very well together.

2026-08-30T11:44:37.914Z

The gap to the peloton is looking like it may be around a minute with a few riders getting back in as the pace drops.

2026-08-30T11:43:29.697Z

14 riders now lead as the chasers join up with the front.

2026-08-30T11:41:23.406Z

11 riders now lead a group of 5 at 15″ with the peloton at 45″.

ALTO DE AITANA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: A general view of the peloton passing the Coll de Rates (628m) during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Alto de Aitana, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T11:38:06.845Z

Part of the chase group have broken free and are joining the leaders. This may finally be the group allowed to go with 137km to go.

2026-08-30T11:36:34.734Z
140km to go

The leaders still have 23″ on the group of nine chasers with the peloton at 45″.

2026-08-30T11:35:22.540Z

The first hour have seen the riders take on over 1000 metres of elevation with an average speed of 41.4kph.

2026-08-30T11:32:21.058Z

This chase group has grown with Buitrago, Bruno Armirail (TVL), Stefan Kung (TUD), Embret Svestad-Bardseng (NCI) and many more joining the fun.

2026-08-30T11:30:23.147Z
KOM (Puerto de Tárbena)

1. Kron (UXM) 5pts
2. Romele (XAT) 3pts
3. Lutsenko (NSN) 1pt

2026-08-30T11:28:38.252Z

Movistar now hit the front with Orluis Aular taking on the point of the bunch. They look like they may even be keen to go for the stage win with Mas looking really strong in the last few days in the mountains.

2026-08-30T11:27:34.171Z

Abandon

Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)

The young Spaniard making his Grand Tour debut evidently struggling.

2026-08-30T11:26:59.346Z

Paret-Peintre and Urko Berrade (Kern Pharma) join Fisher-Black in the chase of the leaders with a Tudor rider trying to join them.

2026-08-30T11:25:56.334Z

Ben Tulett (Visma-Lease a Bike) losing contact with the peloton unfortunately after coming down in he crash with Pogačar yesterday.

2026-08-30T11:23:23.584Z
150km to go

The gap is still just 34″ between the leaders and the head of the peloton as Finn Fisher-Black (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) is the latest to try and join the fun out front.

2026-08-30T11:21:12.212Z

Kron leads over the Puerto de Tárbena.

2026-08-30T11:19:21.632Z

1km to the top of the Puerto de Tárbena.

2026-08-30T11:18:41.839Z

Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quickstep) launching a new move with around 10 riders as Movistar and Decathlon-CMA CGM try to start controlling.

2026-08-30T11:17:02.499Z

Pablo Torres another UAE rider dropped. Not great for them, but they do have Sivakov out front.

2026-08-30T11:15:57.520Z

Several riders dropped in the peloton including Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)

2026-08-30T11:13:04.422Z

The chasers have been caught again but Netcompany-Ineos launch a rider again with plenty keen to follow as Weiss is caught.

2026-08-30T11:10:53.017Z

Four riders fly out of the peloton and join Buitrago including Johannessen again.

2026-08-30T11:09:00.958Z

Fabian Weiss (Tudor) dropped from the lead group.

2026-08-30T11:07:47.955Z

Buitrago solo off the front of the peloton trying to bridge.

2026-08-30T11:06:58.667Z

Briefly looked like the peloton were happy but, despite having a rider in the break in the shape of Kron, Uno-X Mobility decided to kick things off again.

2026-08-30T11:05:04.182Z

Onto the first climb of six today. The Puerto de Tárbena. The break now have 53″ on the peloton as the chasing peloton stalls slightly with the leaders still working very well.

2026-08-30T11:03:40.836Z
160km to go

Into the final 100 miles and it is Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe trying to get a new group going. Primož Roglič’s team looks to have a plan today. Now 42″ up to the break as Movistar are also getting involved in the attacking, as are Decathlon-CMA CGM.

2026-08-30T11:00:45.367Z

The pace in the peloton changes again due to Van Aert hitting the front. He catches the chase group and is now leading the peloton at 38″ from the leading six riders.

2026-08-30T10:57:49.115Z

Finally, the break may be allowed to go. The chasers are now at 40″ behind the lead group but the peloton are now at 54″.

2026-08-30T10:55:57.579Z

Lennard Kämna (Lidl-Trek) is also in the chase group.

2026-08-30T10:55:19.204Z

Reuben Thompson (Lotto-Intermarché) and Ivan Cobo (Kern Pharma) in the chase gap at 34″ with the peloton at 45″. Not far away from the first climb of the day, the Puerto de Tárbena (7km at 5.4%).

2026-08-30T10:53:46.018Z

The gap eases out to 35″ now but there are still plenty of attacks coming out of the peloton despite multiple teams trying to block the road.

2026-08-30T10:48:38.000Z

Still only 24″ up to the leaders. They are working well together but the battling to get up the road is far from over behind as Van Aert now starts to appear near the front of the peloton.

2026-08-30T10:47:30.710Z

Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have been very keen on getting Gianni Vermeersch into the breakaway. He attacks for the second time today.

2026-08-30T10:45:32.441Z

Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) is in the chase group. He lost time on the big climbing day in Andorra but has been showing that he’s keen to get into breaks since then alongside teammate Pello Bilbao.

2026-08-30T10:44:22.800Z

This has the most climbing of any stage in this year’s La Vuelta. 4940 metres of climbing.

2026-08-30T10:41:22.586Z

The leading 6 have just 10″ on the chasing 5 riders with a further 10″ back to the peloton. This isn’t getting away just yet.

2026-08-30T10:38:44.942Z
180km to go

Lutsenko is back with Andreas Kron (Uno-X Mobility), Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and three others but another group made of five riders including two from UAE are coming across the gap.

2026-08-30T10:34:31.583Z

The lead group grows so Lutsenko launches a move off the front and is now solo.

2026-08-30T10:31:30.251Z

The lead group grows with Jack Haig (Netcompany-Ineos), Michael Gogl (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and Domen Novak (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) involved.

2026-08-30T10:30:06.081Z

Alexey Lutsenko (NSN) is the other rider in the front group. Two riders from Kazakhstan, one from Norway and one from Denmark.

2026-08-30T10:29:33.514Z

Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) is also in this lead group with about 20 riders trying to bridge the gap.

2026-08-30T10:28:38.926Z
Attack

First move comes off the front with Yevgeniy Fedorov (XDS-Astana) and Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility) go away in a group of four.

2026-08-30T10:27:19.332Z
187.4km to go

Racing begins and there’s no moves yet.

2026-08-30T10:26:36.500Z

Sinuhé Fernandez (Burgos-Burpellet-BH) will wear the gold combativity number.

2026-08-30T10:17:41.638Z

The start of this stage is likely going to be chaotic with UAE Team Emirates-XRG being one of the teams who will be very keen to get up the road to chase stage wins after they all lost well over 11 minutes yesterday.

2026-08-30T10:15:03.786Z

Mas revealing the red jersey on the podium for the team presentation earlier…

VILLAJOYOSA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Enric Mas of Spain and Movistar Team - Red Leader Jersey prior to the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Villajoyosa, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T10:13:15.919Z

The riders are all set and rolling at the neutral start. They have 6.4km of neutralised zone today.

VILLAJOYOSA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: (L-R) Bryan Coquard of France and Team Cofidis, Andreas Leknessund of Norway and Team Uno-X Mobility - Polka Dot Mountain Jersey, Enric Mas of Spain and Movistar Team - Red Leader Jersey, Wout Van Aert of Belgium and Team Visma | Lease a Bike - Green Points Jersey and Oscar Onley of Great Britain and Netcompany INEOS Cycling Team - White Best Young Rider Jersey prior to the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Villajoyosa, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T09:59:50.803Z

Pogačar is remaining as positive as he can do after the crash with the world champion spending a few nights in Barcelona hospital.

>>> ‘Stayin Alive’ – Tadej Pogačar posts update from Barcelona hospital bed as question marks linger over cause of crash and rest of season after Vuelta a España abandon

Tadej Pogačar posts an Instagram selfie from his hospital bed in Barcelona following his Vuelta a España crash

(Image credit: Tadej Pogačar / Instagram)

2026-08-30T09:51:33.839Z

Yesterday, Mas refused to wear the red jersey after Pogačar crashed out…

>>> ‘I think it’s something to show respect to him’ – New Vuelta a España leader Enric Mas refuses to wear red jersey on stage 8 podium after Tadej Pogačar’s abandon

XERACO, SPAIN - AUGUST 29: Enric Mas of Spain and Movistar Team celebrates at podium as Red Leader Jersey winner without putting on a jersey as a sign of respect for the injured former leader Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates XRG, during the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 8 a 171km stage from Pucol to Xeraco / #UCIWT / on August 29, 2026 in Xeraco, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T09:43:05.818Z

As well as the battle for red, the battle for the blue and white KOM jersey is on with a big day of points available today. Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility) leads the way ahead of green jersey holder Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) by just three points with plenty of climbs to come that will open the battle to more riders.

VILLAJOYOSA, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Magnus Cort of Denmark, Simon Dalby of Denmark, Fredrik Dversnes of Norway, Tobias Halland Johannessen of Norway, Andreas Kron of Denmark, Andreas Leknessund of Norway, Rasmus Tiller of Norway, Martin Tjotta of Norway and Team Uno-X Mobility prior to the La Vuelta - 81st Tour of Spain 2026, Stage 9 a 187.4km stage from Villajoyosa to Alto de Aitana 1544m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2026 in Villajoyosa, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-08-30T09:40:23.262Z

Today’s stage is another brutal day at La Vuelta with six classified climbs including the final climb of the Alto de Aitana which is 22km long at 5.8%. The GC will surely see another big shake-up with more riders seeing a massive opportunity to challenge for the overall title.

>>> Vuelta a España 2026 stage 9 preview – GC battle reignites on Alto de Aitana summit finish after Tadej Pogacar’s abandon

Profile of stage 9

(Image credit: ASO)

Hola and welcome to our live report of La Vuelta a España 2026 stage 9. The race looks very different after the events of yesterday which saw race leader Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) crash out. Now, Enric Mas (Movistar) leads the way.