Ayuso Secures Second Stage Win at Vuelta as Vingegaard Retains Red Jersey

Posted : 05 September 2025

Spain’s Juan Ayuso triumphed in stage 12 of the Vuelta a España after outsprinting compatriot Javier Romo in a late breakaway, while overall leader Jonas Vingegaard maintained control of the general classification.

Ayuso Outduels Romo for Victory

Ayuso, 22, claimed his second stage win of this year’s Vuelta on the 144.9km route from Laredo to Los Corrales de Buelna. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider, who will depart the team at the end of the season, broke clear with Romo on the final climb, around 26km from the finish.

Despite Romo’s efforts, Ayuso conserved his energy before launching a decisive sprint. “It is not something I enjoy, not fully cooperating, but sometimes you need to be smart,” he explained. “I knew how to time my sprint, and I did it perfectly.”

France’s Brieuc Rolland took third place, while Belgian Victor Campenaerts led a 16-man chase group home after a large escape of more than 40 riders was whittled down.

Vingegaard Holds Firm in GC Battle

Vingegaard, protected by his Visma-Lease a Bike teammates, crossed the line more than six minutes later alongside general classification contenders João Almeida and Britain’s Tom Pidcock. The Danish two-time Tour de France champion remains secure in the red jersey heading into a critical stretch of the race.

The final 100 metres of the stage were marked by pro-Palestinian protest flags, though unlike stage 11 in Bilbao, racing was not disrupted. That earlier incident had forced organizers to cut the stage short amid security concerns.

Friday’s stage 13, the second longest of the race at 202.7km, is expected to be decisive with a punishing summit finish on the Angliru, where gradients exceed 20%.

Brennan Makes History at Tour of Britain

In the Tour of Britain, 20-year-old Matthew Brennan made history by becoming the youngest stage winner in the race’s history. The British rider surged past rivals in a sprint finish to take stage three on the 122.8km route from Milton Keynes to Ampthill.

Brennan, supported by race leader and Visma-Lease a Bike teammate Olav Kooij, timed his move to perfection in the final kilometre. Italy’s Alberto Dainese finished second and Portugal’s Rui Oliveira third, while Kooij placed ninth to retain the overall lead.

“This season has been incredible so far,” Brennan said. “It was chaotic at the end, but we stayed calm and followed the right wheels.”

The victory also lifted Brennan to second in the general classification, 10 seconds behind Kooij. He now has 12 wins this year, but this was his first as a professional rider.

Friday’s stage runs from Atherstone to Burton Dassett Country Park in Warwickshire and is expected to shake up the standings further. Belgian Remco Evenepoel finished safely, while Britain’s Geraint Thomas lost time as he continues his farewell race before retirement.

Ayuso Secures Second Stage Win at Vuelta as Vingegaard Retains Red Jersey

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