Kit Nicholson

A dramatic, crash-marred stage 8 of the Vuelta a España ended in sprint victory for Bryan Coquard – and Enric Mas moves into the race lead after Tadej Pogačar's abandon.

Tadej Pogačar crashed out of the Vuelta a España while leading the race on stage 8, clearly injuring his arm and suffering a wound to his face. The extent of his injuries has now been confirmed by UAE Team Emirates-XRG's doctor who followed Pogačar to the hospital. Pogačar

Movistar stepped up on stage 9 after Enric Mas inherited the race lead, and on one of the hardest days of the 2026 Vuelta a España, the Spaniard took his first win in the red jersey.

No World or European Championships, nor Il Lombardia for Pogačar, whose 2026 ended with the crash that took him out of the Vuelta a España.

Enric Mas and Felix Gall take a little more time on Primož Roglič, who slips to third overall.

From whippersnapper to renaissance man – across his ten-year career, Mas has gone from the next Spanish sensation to nearly man, and now he's back on top at the Vuelta that's central to it all.

Extreme heat shortened a punchy stage 15, won by Wout van Aert from a late five-man move – no changes to GC before final rest day.

The French WorldTeam retains its national identity, but the lighter tax burden of Swiss-registered business means higher contracts are easier to stomach.

An emotional Mikel Landa soared to Queen Stage victory from the break, as Enric Mas all but sealed the overall title – a remarkable day for Spanish cycling at the Vuelta a España.

The Granada finale was neutralised for the last lap, during which a select number raced for stage victory as the GC riders rolled home safely – and Enric Mas became a Grand Tour champion.