Britain's Matt Brennan sprinted to victory in the second stage of the Vuelta a España on Sunday, 23 August 2026. The Visma-Lease A Bike rider claimed the stage win after a 214.3-kilometre route from Monaco to Manosque, France, which included over 3,000 metres of climbing.
Overall race favourite Tadej Pogacar finished third in the stage, securing four bonus seconds, and maintained his position as the overall leader, retaining the red jersey. Ethan Hayter, another Briton, was part of an early four-man breakaway and won an intermediate sprint, but was unable to stay with Pogacar on the uphill finish.
Pogacar, a five-time Tour de France winner, is considered the overwhelming favourite to win the Vuelta a España, which would complete a Grand Tour career hat-trick for the Slovenian cyclist.