LOJA (Spain) – The stage hunters assembled in spectacular fashion on stage 13 of the Vuelta 26, igniting the day with relentless attacks on the numerous climbs between Almuñécar and Loja (192.8 km). Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) finally launched the decisive attack with 3.5 kilometers to go. Only Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step) was able to follow, but the Belgian was unable to hold off in the final sprint. Wearing the green jersey, van Aert took his first victory at the Vuelta 26 after winning three stages two years ago. Matthew Brennan, part of the day's 43-rider breakaway, also rounded out the podium, making it an even more special day for Visma-Lease a Bike. Among the contenders for the general classification, Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) also rode near the front, ultimately gaining more than two minutes on his rivals on the eve of the grueling mountain sprint towards the Sierra de la Pandera.
Wout van Aert dominates attacking stage at Vuelta
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