Vuelta: Van Aert beats Paret-Peintre in Loja; Vincenzo Albanese finishes in the top 5. Enric Mas remains in the red jersey

Wout van Aert claimed victory in the 13th stage of the 2026 Vuelta a España, at the end of a 192.8-kilometer route that took the peloton from Almuñecar to Loja, in Andalusia. The Belgian champion from Team Visma-Lease a Bike, wearing the green jersey as leader of the points classification, outpaced his breakaway companion Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step) in the sprint, thus winning his first stage of this edition—his fourth overall, following the three he won in 2024.

Rounding out the day’s podium, ahead of the first chasing group, was Britain’s Matthew Brennan, Van Aert’s teammate, who outpaced Belgian Jarno Widar (Lotto Intermarché) and Vincenzo Albanese (EF Education – EasyPost), the top Italian and fifth overall. Another Italian rider, Filippo Zana (Soudal Quick-Step), also finished in the top ten after winning the bunch sprint to secure a spot in the Top 10.

No significant changes in the general classification: Enric Mas (Movistar Team) continues to lead comfortably, retaining the red leader’s jersey with a 1’45” advantage over Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). Latvian Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) remains in third place, 2’06” behind, ahead of Richard Carapaz (EF Education – EasyPost), fourth at 3’53”, and Oscar Onley (Netcompany Ineos) at 4’29”.

La Vuelta will continue on Saturday with the 14th stage, which will see the riders tackle a high-mountain stage taking them from Jaén to Sierra de La Pandera, still in Andalusia. The 154.3-kilometer route features a total elevation gain of over 4,000 meters and a challenging final first-category climb 11.8 kilometers long with an average gradient of 7.5%, reaching peaks of 13.1%.