The finale of La Vuelta 26, held in Granada for the first time in its 81 editions, saw Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) power to victory in an explosive finale, while Enric Mas (Movistar) perfectly navigated the final challenges of La Vuelta 26 to become the 64th overall winner, the first Spaniard to stand on the top step of the final podium since Alberto Contador in 2014. The puncheurs went all out on the circuit around the Alhambra and Johannessen got the better of Alessandro Romele (XDS Astana) in a two-man sprint after they distanced Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the final kilometre. Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) is the 13th Belgian winner of the points classification. Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) is the fifth Colombian climber to rule the mountains standings. Oscar Onley (Netcompany Ineos) is the first British winner of the young riders standings.
It’s the end of the road. After over 3,000 kilometres of racing, with some 5,000 metres of elevation gain, from Monaco, home to the Salida Official of La Vuelta 26 three weeks ago, the peloton are in Granada for the final stage.
An exhilarating finale is on the cards, with a punchy circuit around the iconic Alhambra to cap off this 81st edition. The times for the general classification will be neutralised as the riders pass the finish line for the penultimate time (9.8 km to go). At that point, it is all about the stage win, while the GC leaders can celebrate their achievements as Granada hosts the finale of La Vuelta for the first time.
Celebrations
The peloton take it easy as they roll from Carrefour Granada, ride through the streets of Armilla and head to the grand finale at the Alhambra. Wearing special jerseys for the occasion, Enric Mas and his Movistar teammates gradually increase the pace en route to Granada. Aged 31, Mas is set to become the 64th different winner of La Vuelta, the 25th Spaniard, twelve years after his idol Alberto Contador.
Into the final 50 kilometres of La Vuelta 26, the peloton enter Granada. The riders pass the finish line with 41.8 km to go. The road immediately rises to visit the Alhambra. Movistar still control the pace on this first climb.
Accelerations
Groupama-FDJ United take the reins of the peloton to enter the final three laps and tackle the second ascent of the day. Already the winner in Elche de la Sierra (stage 10), Bastien Tronchon (Groupama-FDJ United) attacks with 28 kilometres to go. Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) and Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike) are the quickest to react. A group of nine attackers emerge but a bunch regroups due to Uno-X Mobility. Movistar set the pace in the peloton behind them.
Onto the final ascent, Pau Miquel sets a brutal pace to propel Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious), who attacks on his final Grand Tour stage before retiring. The Basque rider opens a gap, but Axel Laurance (Netcompany Ineos) counter-attacks with 8 km remaining. A group of twelve riders get back together on the final run-in, including Brennan.
Elation
Everyone wants to get rid of the British star, already the winner of five stages in La Vuelta 26. Ramses Debruyne (Alpecin-Premier Tech), Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) and Alessandro Romele (XDS Astana) find an opening into the final kilometre. Second the day before at the Collado del Alguacil, Johannessen finally clinched his first Grand Tour stage win ahead of Romele.
Behind them, Enric Mas crosses the line with his six teammates by his side: Arcas, Aular, Canal, Castrillo, Garcia Pierna, and Romeo. They’ve completed their mission to win La Vuelta 26.
