Wout van Aert battled scorching heat in southern Spain to win stage 13 of the Vuelta a España, edging Valentin Paret-Peintre in a sprint, as Enric Mas kept hold of the red jersey.
Key facts
- Wout van Aert won stage 13 of the Vuelta a España on Friday.
- It was Van Aert's fourth career stage win at the race.
- He beat fellow breakaway rider Valentin Paret-Peintre in a sprint to the line.
- The hilly stage ran 192km from Almuñécar to Loja in southern Spain.
- Enric Mas retained the red jersey with a lead of 1min 45sec.
Belgium’s Wout van Aert won stage 13 of the Vuelta a España on Friday, surging clear of Valentin Paret-Peintre in a sprint to the line, according to the BBC.
The victory came amid scorching heat on a hot and sunny day in southern Spain, the Guardian reported. The hilly 192km stage ran from Almuñécar to Loja.
It was Van Aert’s fourth career stage win at the Vuelta a España, underlining his continued strength at the Spanish grand tour.
Van Aert and Paret-Peintre had both been part of the day’s breakaway, setting up a two-rider battle for the stage honours that the Belgian ultimately won.
In the overall standings, Enric Mas kept hold of the red jersey, maintaining a lead of 1 minute 45 seconds, according to the Guardian.
Elsewhere in the sport, the Guardian noted that Olav Kooij claimed the stage win at the Tour of Britain on the same day.
Why it matters
Stage wins at grand tours like the Vuelta a España are prized moments in professional cycling, and Van Aert's fourth career victory at the race adds to his standing among the sport's most versatile riders. The overall race, meanwhile, remains led by Enric Mas as the general classification battle continues.
Frequently asked questions
Who won stage 13 of the Vuelta a España?
Wout van Aert of Belgium won stage 13, beating Valentin Paret-Peintre in a sprint to the line.
Who holds the red jersey at the Vuelta?
Enric Mas kept hold of the red jersey with a lead of 1 minute 45 seconds after stage 13.
What was the route for stage 13?
The hilly stage covered 192km from Almuñécar to Loja in southern Spain.