Enric Mas seals Vuelta a Espana lead as Mikel Landa wins penultimate stage on Collado del Alguacil

Red jersey defense in Sierra Nevada

Enric Mas defended the overall race lead during the 186.8-kilometer penultimate stage of the Vuelta a Espana from La Calahorra to Collado del Alguacil. The 31-year-old Movistar rider weathered multiple attacks across five mountain passes in the Sierra Nevada, featuring almost 5,000 meters of cumulative climbing. Mas entered the stage holding a 1-minute, 37-second margin over Primoz Roglic, having worn the red jersey for 13 days since Tadej Pogacar crashed out of the race during stage 8. When Felix Gall attacked on the steep final nine-kilometer ascent, which included gradients reaching 22%, Mas matched the pace and dropped Roglic. Mas extended his general classification advantage over Roglic to 2 minutes and 15 seconds, with Gall sitting in third place a further 30 seconds behind.

Landa attacks on Collado del Alguacil

Further ahead on the final mountain, veteran Basque climber Mikel Landa of Soudal-Quick-Step secured a solo stage victory. The 36-year-old rider bridged across to the breakaway during the second ascent of El Purche before launching a solo attack with seven kilometers remaining. Landa distanced his remaining breakaway companions, Tobias Halland Johannessen of Uno-X and Ramses Debruyne of Alpecin, who completed the stage podium. The result marked Landa's first Vuelta stage victory since 2015 in Andorra, coming in his final months before joining the Euskaltel team next season.

Speaking after crossing the finish line, Landa reflected on his victory following an injury-interrupted campaign.

I am very happy, I have been looking for this for a long time. It has been a hard season for me and today was the last opportunity.

Spanish milestone and general classification shifts

The results on Saturday position Mas to become the first Spanish winner of the Vuelta since Alberto Contador won the race in 2014. Mas had previously finished on the Vuelta podium four times, including second-place finishes in 2018, 2021, and 2022. Earlier in the stage, Richard Carapaz launched an attack that opened a 20-second gap before being reeled in by the chase group. Elsewhere in the top ten, 2023 Vuelta champion Sepp Kuss moved from 11th to fifth overall following his performance on the mountain.

Reflecting on his composure during the queen stage, Mas described his sensations on the concluding climb.

For the first time in my life I feel this way. If I am honest I was counting what was left, but my sensations were that I was strong.

Final stage protocol in Granada

The 2026 Vuelta concludes on Sunday with a final stage in Granada that serves as a ceremonial procession for the general classification contenders. The route covers between 99.4 and 112 kilometers, starting at 16:00 and finishing around 19:15 in the Granada city center. The circuit includes four two-kilometer ascents with 7.5% gradients up toward the Alhambra. Race organizers are evaluating a time neutralization request submitted by teams due to the technical demands of the urban circuit.