{"id":754795,"date":"2026-08-30T17:54:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T17:54:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/754795\/"},"modified":"2026-08-30T17:54:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T17:54:34","slug":"as-it-happened-gc-takes-major-shift-as-red-jersey-solidifies-his-lead-on-la-vuelta-stage-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/754795\/","title":{"rendered":"As it happened: GC takes major shift as red jersey solidifies his lead on La Vuelta stage 9"},"content":{"rendered":"

2026-08-30T16:39:00.336Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

>>> Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a: Race leader Enric Mas outsprints Oscar Onley to win stage 9 on Alto de Aitana<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"ALTO\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T16:37:32.302Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ALTO\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T16:17:51.283Z<\/p>\n

Onley remains firmly in white by almost 6 minutes over Omrzel.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ALTO\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T16:15:53.088Z<\/p>\n

Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) is the new KOM leader.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ALTO\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T16:12:41.336Z<\/p>\n

Enric Mas has a huge smile everywhere he goes now.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Overall\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T16:10:52.077Z<\/p>\n

An incredible feeling for Mas.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ALTO\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T16:00:44.951Z<\/p>\n

Mas now leads Rogli\u010d 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”.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:55:17.205Z<\/p>\n

Superb ride by Mas but also from Onley as well. Rogli\u010d 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”.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ALTO\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T15:38:29.371Z<\/p>\n

Movistar’s first win at La Vuelta for five years!<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:38:13.749Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-08-30T15:37:11.186Z<\/p>\n

250 metres to go and it will be between Mas and Onley today for the stage.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:36:37.822Z<\/p>\n

500 metres to go. Mas leads Onley with Rogli\u010d using everything to ramp up to close in on them but doesn’t seem to be able to get there.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:36:04.462Z
\nFlamme Rouge!<\/p>\n

Mas continues to push to try and keep Rogli\u010d 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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:34:39.776Z<\/p>\n

1’15” back to Kuss.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:34:23.172Z<\/p>\n

25″ back to Gall and the rest now. This is quite the ride from Mas, Onley and perhaps expected from Rogli\u010d.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:33:50.665Z
\nAttack<\/p>\n

Enric Mas<\/p>\n

As soon as Rogli\u010d got on the red jersey kicked hard to deaden his rival’s legs but Onley is still with Mas with 1.5km to go.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:33:11.280Z<\/p>\n

Rogli\u010d makes it across to Mas and Onley with 18″ back to Gall and the rest.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:32:46.355Z
\n2km to go<\/p>\n

Rogli\u010d leaving Widar behind and is closing in on Mas and Onley.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:32:16.516Z<\/p>\n

Rogli\u010d now pushing on to try and get across to Mas and Onley who are working together. Widar able to stay with Rogli\u010d, though.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:31:46.048Z<\/p>\n

Widar is the man leading the chase behind them with Rogli\u010d as the rest are struggling to close up to the Slovenian.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:31:13.492Z
\nAttack<\/p>\n

Enric Mas<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:30:19.077Z
\nAttack<\/p>\n

Matias Skjelmose
Harold Tejada
Jarno Widar<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:29:16.474Z
\nAttack<\/p>\n

Felix Gall<\/p>\n

Onley, Rogli\u010d 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.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:27:39.402Z<\/p>\n

Widar, Sivakov and Buitrago all distanced for now.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:27:14.866Z
\nAttack<\/p>\n

Santiago Buitrago (TBV)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:26:25.982Z<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T15:25:50.295Z
\nAttack<\/p>\n

Oscar Onley (NCI)<\/p>\n

He gets a gap and Mas flies across the gap to the white jersey with Gall unable to react to it.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:24:50.491Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:24:02.694Z
\nAttack<\/p>\n

Richard Carapaz (EFE)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:23:03.678Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:22:02.414Z<\/p>\n

GC group:<\/p>\n

Mas, Gall, Rogli\u010d, Onley, Carapaz, Tejada, Widar.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:21:04.627Z<\/p>\n

Harold Tejada has got back in as well.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:20:46.597Z
\nAttack<\/p>\n

Felix Gall<\/p>\n

Widar follows and pushes on himself as Skjelmose is dropped.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:20:15.344Z<\/p>\n

Lots of riders get back into the GC group.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:19:49.834Z<\/p>\n

6km to go as Sivakov has 33″ on Camprubi and 1’05” on the GC group.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:19:23.286Z<\/p>\n

Matias Skjelmose gets back in with the GC favourites.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:18:43.999Z
\nAttack<\/p>\n

Felix Gall (DCT)<\/p>\n

Enric Mas follows with Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d, Oscar Onley and Richard Carapaz.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:17:37.653Z<\/p>\n

Kuss starting to lose a little bit of a gap as other riders lose tough and Sepp Kuss is distanced.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:16:37.625Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:14:30.613Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:12:20.121Z<\/p>\n

Sivakov now does definitively gap Camprubi.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:11:53.416Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:11:14.612Z<\/p>\n

Camprubi isn’t done yet and comes back to Sivakov.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:10:35.431Z
\nAttack<\/p>\n

Sivakov gaps Camprubi but with just over 2 minutes to the GC riders it may not be enough.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:10:01.093Z<\/p>\n

Riccitello now takes over the pace setting in the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:09:09.176Z
\n10km to go<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:07:45.532Z<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

\n

\"ALTO\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T15:02:13.642Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfc1 15 km | Stage 9\ufe0f\u20e3 – Etapa 9\ufe0f\u20e3 | #LaVuelta26
\n\ud83e\udd1d Sivakov and Camprub\u00ed are together in front with 1’30” on their direct chasers
\n\ud83d\udc4a Sivakov y Camprub\u00ed colaboran en cabeza. Los perseguidores, a minuto y medio
\n\u23f1\ufe0f 3’48” Pelot\u00f3n<\/p>\n

\u2014 @lavuelta.bsky.social (@lavuelta.bsky.social.bsky.social<\/a>) 2026-08-30T15:01:48.384Z<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-08-30T15:01:28.304Z<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T15:00:31.116Z<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:58:47.016Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:57:30.676Z<\/p>\n

Several riders losing touch in the peloton with Labrosse absolutely flying on the front for Gall. Jarno Widar (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9) really struggling at the back.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:51:14.123Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:49:17.719Z
\n20km to go<\/p>\n

The chase group are firing off attacks all the time with Buitrago and Lutsenko the first to really get a gap.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:47:54.030Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:46:42.548Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:45:14.427Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:40:10.673Z<\/p>\n

This leading trio have ridden superbly and now have a minute on the chase group.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:37:01.119Z
\n30km to go<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:33:41.897Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:27:43.533Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:22:28.939Z<\/p>\n

Romele caught by Camprubi and Sivakov.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:22:01.546Z
\n40km to go<\/p>\n

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”.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:16:37.962Z
\nKOM (Puerto de Benufallim)<\/p>\n

1. Romele (XAT) 5pts 6″
2. Sivakov (UAX) 3pts 4″
3. Camprubi (PQT) 1pt 2″<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:14:38.070Z<\/p>\n

And it is Sivakov who joins Camprubi.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:14:16.702Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:12:07.794Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:11:30.787Z<\/p>\n

Sivakov and Vermaerke are pushing again in the chase group to try and continue to split things.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:10:40.062Z<\/p>\n

Camprubi riding strongly in that Spanish champions jersey. He has closed to 20″ to Romele already.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:08:54.140Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:07:33.881Z
\n50km to go<\/p>\n

The lead for Romele is still go on this climb. As Camprubi sets off after the young Italian.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:05:49.473Z<\/p>\n

The gap has cracked open back to the peloton with it now just over 6 minutes.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:05:23.887Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:03:41.828Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T14:02:41.459Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:59:27.230Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:57:52.580Z
\nAttack<\/p>\n

Alessandro Romele (XDS-Astana)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:53:29.805Z<\/p>\n

Abandon<\/p>\n

Victor Langellotti (XDS-Astana)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:53:07.180Z
\n60km to go <\/p>\n

The gap just begins to grow again as Aular retakes the lead from Canal in the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:49:57.255Z<\/p>\n

The gap up to the break now drops below 4 minutes for the first time in some time.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:47:59.213Z
\nKOM (Puerto de Tudons) <\/p>\n

1. Buitrago (TBV) 5pts
2. Calzoni (PQT) 3pts
3. Leemreize (TPP) 1pt<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:43:33.382Z<\/p>\n

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”.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:42:45.380Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ALTO\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T13:39:19.767Z<\/p>\n

It does appear that Movistar are upping the pace in the peloton as they take another 10″ off the time up to the leaders.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:37:27.268Z
\n70km to go<\/p>\n

Currently just under 4km to the top of the Puerto de Tudons.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:34:38.831Z<\/p>\n

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”.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:31:15.571Z<\/p>\n

Of course, Rogli\u010d 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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:30:27.562Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:29:02.119Z<\/p>\n

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 Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) are all in with a shout to challenge Enric Mas (Movistar).<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:22:36.039Z<\/p>\n

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%).<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:14:22.403Z
\n80km to go<\/p>\n

Movistar continue to set the tempo in the peloton with around 5 minutes between the break and peloton.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ALTO\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T13:11:02.728Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:08:27.059Z<\/p>\n

The lead group grows to 20 riders as they ride through the enxtremely rugged and dramatic landscape of the Serra Serella.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ALTO\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T13:03:31.022Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:00:59.631Z
\nKOM (Puerto de Tollos)<\/p>\n

1. Buitrago (TBV) 3pts
2. Calzoni (PQT) 2pts
3. Leemreize (TPP) 1pt<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T13:00:11.210Z
\n90km to go<\/p>\n

It is lunch time in the peloton. Several teams have riders back at the cars getting food for their riders.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:55:50.172Z<\/p>\n

Attila Valter (TBV) is very close to getting onto the back of the lead group.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:55:13.998Z<\/p>\n

And the gap drifts beyond 5 minutes now.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:53:41.288Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:50:43.625Z<\/p>\n

Buitrago snaps clear with a sharp acceleration and takes another max points on the Tollos climb. He leads Leknessund by 5 points now.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:47:08.311Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:40:12.872Z
\n100km to go<\/p>\n

Onto the next climb, the cat 3 Puerto de Tollos. 4km long at 5.8%.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:39:16.597Z<\/p>\n

Here is a view of what the riders have just been tackling on the previous categorised climb…<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd75 2\ufe0f\u20e33\ufe0f\u20e3% \ud83e\udd75
\nCould you do it? \u00bfPodr\u00edas con este ramp\u00f3n?
\n#LaVuelta26<\/p>\n

\u2014 @lavuelta.bsky.social (@lavuelta.bsky.social.bsky.social<\/a>) 2026-08-30T12:38:56.237Z<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:38:33.522Z<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T12:33:12.357Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:28:20.502Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:24:51.505Z
\nKOM (Puerto de El Miserat)<\/p>\n

1. Buitrago (TBV) 10pts
2. Sivakov ((UAX) 6pts
3. Lutsenko (NSN) 4pts<\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:20:41.115Z<\/p>\n

Buitrago attacks the lead group for the points and he takes them ahead of Sivakov and Lutsenko.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:19:20.049Z<\/p>\n

The gradients are so steep they still have 350 metre of climbing this ascent.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:17:01.245Z<\/p>\n

1km to the top of the Miserat climb with Kevin Vermaerke (UAX) leading the front group.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:13:54.514Z<\/p>\n

Movistar have settled on holding the break at around 3’15” with Venezuelan champion Aular setting the tempo.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:08:15.408Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:06:19.613Z<\/p>\n

Walter Calzoni (Pinarello-Q36.5) has attacked the chase group to try and bridge the gap to the leaders.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:05:20.483Z<\/p>\n

The peloton have let the break go. They are 3’38” down on the leaders.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:04:56.298Z<\/p>\n

Onto the Miserat climb. Immediately a very narrow and dusty roads.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T12:00:28.218Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:58:06.878Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:52:08.359Z<\/p>\n

Movistar are now taking full control of the peloton with a rider in the chase group as well with Raul Garcia Pierna.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:49:46.303Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:48:05.472Z
\nCrash<\/p>\n

Fedorov (XAT)
Double (JAY)
Craps (LOI)<\/p>\n

I believe that is everyone involved with Double looking like the worst effected but all up and riding again.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:47:08.252Z<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T11:45:58.064Z
\n130km to go<\/p>\n

Movistar lead the peloton but the break are working very well together.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:44:37.914Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:43:29.697Z<\/p>\n

14 riders now lead as the chasers join up with the front.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:41:23.406Z<\/p>\n

11 riders now lead a group of 5 at 15″ with the peloton at 45″.<\/p>\n

\n

\"ALTO\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T11:38:06.845Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:36:34.734Z
\n140km to go<\/p>\n

The leaders still have 23″ on the group of nine chasers with the peloton at 45″.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:35:22.540Z<\/p>\n

The first hour have seen the riders take on over 1000 metres of elevation with an average speed of 41.4kph.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:32:21.058Z<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T11:30:23.147Z
\nKOM (Puerto de T\u00e1rbena)<\/p>\n

1. Kron (UXM) 5pts
2. Romele (XAT) 3pts
3. Lutsenko (NSN) 1pt<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:28:38.252Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:27:34.171Z<\/p>\n

Abandon<\/p>\n

Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The young Spaniard making his Grand Tour debut evidently struggling.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:26:59.346Z<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T11:25:56.334Z<\/p>\n

Ben Tulett (Visma-Lease a Bike) losing contact with the peloton unfortunately after coming down in he crash with Poga\u010dar yesterday.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:23:23.584Z
\n150km to go<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:21:12.212Z<\/p>\n

Kron leads over the Puerto de T\u00e1rbena.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:19:21.632Z<\/p>\n

1km to the top of the Puerto de T\u00e1rbena.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:18:41.839Z<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T11:17:02.499Z<\/p>\n

Pablo Torres another UAE rider dropped. Not great for them, but they do have Sivakov out front.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:15:57.520Z<\/p>\n

Several riders dropped in the peloton including Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:13:04.422Z<\/p>\n

The chasers have been caught again but Netcompany-Ineos launch a rider again with plenty keen to follow as Weiss is caught.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:10:53.017Z<\/p>\n

Four riders fly out of the peloton and join Buitrago including Johannessen again.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:09:00.958Z<\/p>\n

Fabian Weiss (Tudor) dropped from the lead group.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:07:47.955Z<\/p>\n

Buitrago solo off the front of the peloton trying to bridge.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:06:58.667Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:05:04.182Z<\/p>\n

Onto the first climb of six today. The Puerto de T\u00e1rbena. The break now have 53″ on the peloton as the chasing peloton stalls slightly with the leaders still working very well.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:03:40.836Z
\n160km to go<\/p>\n

Into the final 100 miles and it is Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe trying to get a new group going. Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d’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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T11:00:45.367Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:57:49.115Z<\/p>\n

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″.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:55:57.579Z<\/p>\n

Lennard K\u00e4mna (Lidl-Trek) is also in the chase group.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:55:19.204Z<\/p>\n

Reuben Thompson (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9) 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 T\u00e1rbena (7km at 5.4%).<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:53:46.018Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:48:38.000Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:47:30.710Z<\/p>\n

Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have been very keen on getting Gianni Vermeersch into the breakaway. He attacks for the second time today.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:45:32.441Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:44:22.800Z<\/p>\n

This has the most climbing of any stage in this year’s La Vuelta. 4940 metres of climbing.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:41:22.586Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:38:44.942Z
\n180km to go<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:34:31.583Z<\/p>\n

The lead group grows so Lutsenko launches a move off the front and is now solo.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:31:30.251Z<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T10:30:06.081Z<\/p>\n

Alexey Lutsenko (NSN) is the other rider in the front group. Two riders from Kazakhstan, one from Norway and one from Denmark.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:29:33.514Z<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T10:28:38.926Z
\nAttack<\/p>\n

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

2026-08-30T10:27:19.332Z
\n187.4km to go<\/p>\n

Racing begins and there’s no moves yet.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:26:36.500Z<\/p>\n

Sinuh\u00e9 Fernandez (Burgos-Burpellet-BH) will wear the gold combativity number.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:17:41.638Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T10:15:03.786Z<\/p>\n

Mas revealing the red jersey on the podium for the team presentation earlier…<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-08-30T10:13:15.919Z<\/p>\n

The riders are all set and rolling at the neutral start. They have 6.4km of neutralised zone today.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-08-30T09:59:50.803Z<\/p>\n

Poga\u010dar is remaining as positive as he can do after the crash with the world champion spending a few nights in Barcelona hospital.<\/p>\n

>>> ‘Stayin Alive’ \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar posts update from Barcelona hospital bed as question marks linger over cause of crash and rest of season after Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a abandon<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Tadej\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tadej Poga\u010dar \/ Instagram)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-08-30T09:51:33.839Z<\/p>\n

Yesterday, Mas refused to wear the red jersey after Poga\u010dar crashed out…<\/p>\n

>>> ‘I think it’s something to show respect to him’ \u2013 New Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a leader Enric Mas refuses to wear red jersey on stage 8 podium after Tadej Poga\u010dar’s abandon<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-08-30T09:43:05.818Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-08-30T09:40:23.262Z<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

>>> Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 stage 9 preview \u2013 GC battle reignites on Alto de Aitana summit finish after Tadej Pogacar’s abandon<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Profile\n<\/p>\n

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

Hola and welcome to our live report of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a 2026 stage 9. The race looks very different after the events of yesterday which saw race leader Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) crash out. Now, Enric Mas (Movistar) leads the way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"2026-08-30T16:39:00.336Z Tomorrow La Vuelta has a rest day before a brutal second week. But, today, it looks like…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":754796,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[4985,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-754795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-cycling","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/754795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=754795"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/754795\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/754796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=754795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=754795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=754795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}