Vuelta a España: Brenner celebrates Germany’s first stage win since 2023

Marco Brenner could hardly believe the day he had just produced. The 24-year-old German won the 14th stage of the Vuelta a España at the mountain finish in Sierra de la Pandera, 1,800 meters above sea level, for the biggest victory of his career.

Brenner emerged from a large breakaway group and beat Colombia’s Santiago Buitrago in the uphill sprint after 154.5 kilometers. The result gave Germany its first Vuelta stage win since Lennard Kämna’s victory in 2023.

“I can’t believe it. I became a professional cyclist for days like this. Not many riders win a stage at a Grand Tour,” Brenner said. The victory capped a strong season for the former German champion, who also made headlines in August by unexpectedly winning the Tour of Poland.

This is only Brenner’s third Grand Tour. The Vuelta has become an open race since five-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar abandoned a week ago after a serious crash. Enric Mas, who had long failed to fulfill Spain’s hopes in stage races, could now claim his first major overall victory. He has previously finished second three times and third once at the Vuelta.

The overall standings were not expected to change significantly on Sunday. The 15th stage, a 189.7-kilometer route from Palma del Río to Córdoba with three third-category climbs, was expected to favor breakaway riders.

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I can’t believe it. I became a professional cyclist for days like this. Not many riders win a stage at a Grand Tour.