Matthew Brennan enhanced his status as the standout sprinter at the Spanish Vuelta by winning his fourth stage Tuesday in the 21-year-old British rider’s Grand Tour debut.
Brennan was delivered to the front of the bunch with 100 meters left by an ideal leadout from Wout van Aert, his star teammate at Visma-Lease a Bike who already won two stages at this Vuelta.
Crossing the line, Brennan raised his right hand with four fingers out in a victory salute. Bryan Coquard was second and Vito Braet third. Van Aert was sixth at the end of a 181-kilometer (112.5 miles) ride in more blazing heat from Cortegana to Palos de la Frontera.
After 16 stages, overall leader Enric Mas retained his advantage in the red jersey of 2 minutes, 6 seconds ahead of Felix Gall. Primož Roglič is a further 4 second back in third.
Wednesday’s stage is another flat ride into Seville before a 32.5-km (20.2-mile) time trial Thursday that could be key for Roglič.
The Vuelta finishes Sunday in Granada.
