Vuelta a Espanaa 2026 results: Britain's Matthew Brennan claims his second win on stage five

Britain's Matthew Brennan claimed his second win at the Vuelta a Espana in a sprint finish on stage five.

The 21-year-old Visma–Lease a Bike rider comfortably held off Belgium's Jordi Meeus and Italy's Vincenzo Albanese on the run in to the line at the end of the 173.3km route into Roquetes Terres de l'Ebre.

Tadej Pogacar, who is aiming to complete the full set of Grand Tour victories, finished inside the main bunch to retain a healthy overall race lead.

The Slovenian, who won a record-equalling fifth Tour de France earlier this year and triumphed in the Giro d'Italia in 2024, now sits three minutes and 21 seconds ahead of his compatriot Primoz Roglic.

While Pogacar looks a class apart in the general classification race, sprinter Brennan again underlined his burgeoning reputation on his debut in one of cycling's big three races.

"You can see throughout the day everyone just went full [gas]. That's my second one in the bag in my first Grand Tour. I'm very thankful to finish it off again," said Brennan, who also took stage two.

"Last corner I lost my wheel a bit but glad I could stay safe. Glad we could finish with our arms in the air."

On Thursday the race takes in four categorised climbs and a steep gravel section in the concluding 25km of the 177.5km journey from Alcossebre to Castellon de la Plana.

1. Matthew Brennan (GB/Visma - Lease a Bike) 3hrs 47mins 02secs

2. Jordi Meeus (Bel/Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) Same time

3. Vincenzo Albanese (Ita/EF Education - EasyPost) "

5. Axel Laurance (Fra/Netcompany Ineos) "

7. Christophe Laporte (Fra/Visma-Lease a Bike) "

8. Alberto Dainese (Ita/Soudal Quick-Step) "

10. David Gonzalez (Spa/Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro) "

1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 11hrs 26mins 01secs

2. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Red Bull-Bora - hansgrohe) +3mins 21secs

3. Enric Mas (Esp/Movistar) +3mins 32secs

4. Sepp Kuss (US/Team Visma-Lease a Bike) +3mins 44secs

5. Oscar Onley (GB/Netcompany Ineos) +3mins 45secs

6. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/EF Education-EasyPost) +3mins 50secs

7. Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon CMA CGM Team) +3mins 57secs

8. Mattias Skjelmose (Den/Lidl-Trek) +4mins 6secs

9. Jarno Widar (Bel/Lotto Intermarche) Same time

10. Jay Vine (Aus/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +4mins 11secs