Van Aert celebrates again in Córdoba as Enric Mas keeps the red jersey

Wout van Aert celebrated his second victory of this Vuelta a España with an exuberant gesture in Córdoba, winning the 15th stage after a shortened, brutally hot day. The route from Palma del Río covered 110.2 kilometers, and Van Aert completed it in 2 hours, 35 minutes at an average speed of 42.7 kilometers per hour.

The Belgian rider from Visma Lease a Bike beat Italy’s Alessandro Romele of Astana and compatriot Thibau Nys of Lidl. The main group crossed the finish line 2 minutes and 44 seconds later, with overall leader Enric Mas safely inside it.

Mas completed his first week in the red jersey and will defend it through the remaining week. He holds a 2:06 advantage over Austria’s Felix Gall and leads Primož Roglič by 2:10 ahead of Thursday’s time trial, which is expected to be a major test between the two riders.

The heat shaped the stage before the racing began. Temperatures reached 38 degrees, and riders asked organizers to cut the route. The original 189-kilometer course was reduced to 110 kilometers, while the number of climbs fell from three to two. Even so, the race started at full speed, with 11 riders forming an early breakaway.

The break crossed the Puerto de La Forestal together, but the final climb, Puerto Artafi, split the group. Norway’s Andreas Leknessund attacked, though he could not stay clear. Van Aert then came across from behind as Visma took control, keeping two options open: Van Aert for the breakaway and Brennan for a possible sprint. After the technical descent into Córdoba, five riders remained in contention for victory and the traditional Córdoba hat awarded to the winner.