Vuelta a España Stage 17: Brennan Romps to Record Victory for Visma-Lease a Bike

Matthew Brennan, again.

The Brit speedster took his fifth victory of this Vuelta a España on Wednesday’s 17th stage and brought Visma-Lease a Bike a seventh win – the most the team ever won in one grand tour.

The victory wasn’t as straightforward for Brennan as his win 24 hours earlier on Tuesday, however.

Brennan’s leadout man de luxe Wout van Aert chose to drop him off early in the bunch gallop, leaving the rookie super-sprinter to kick out of his rival Magnus Cort’s wheels.

With five wins from Brennan and two from Van Aert, Visma-Lease a Bike’s haul at this Vuelta surpasses its previous grand tour record of six victories it amassed as Jumbo-Visma at the 2022 Tour de France.

Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) was frustrated by Visma-Lease a Bike’s double punch for the fifth time Wednesday. The Belgian finished second in the bunch kick to record a fifth finish in P2-P4.

Cort finished third after Uno-X Mobility came up late to light up the sprint in central Seville.

Enric Mas (Movistar), Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), and all the GC contenders came to the line safe ahead of what’s poised to be a crucial individual TT on Thursday.

Mas will start Thursday’s 32km TT with a 2:06 lead over Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM). Roglič is a further four seconds back.

Brennan profits from Visma commitment: ‘I’m just doing the easy part’

Brennan has more than made his mark on his grand tour debut. The 21-year-old also made his mark on the history of his Dutch team by securing a landmark win on Wednesday.

“We’re a long way into the race now, and today was the day we could make history with the team, the chance to win again,” Brennan said at the finish.

“The team pulled full, and we did everything in our power to make the most of the opportunity. This is the most we’ve ever won in one grand tour, to be part of that is really special. It’s incredible.”

Brennan hailed his teammates for fully committing to set up the sprint on Wednesday.

“I feel like I’m just doing the easy part; the guys work so hard all day and are always here to support me, so I’m very grateful for that,” he said.

The question is now – will Brennan be selected for the 2027 Tour de France? He’s already stated his intention to be at what will be his home grand départ next summer.

Visma-Lease a Bike might have a headache for the next 10 months as it figures out how to combine the ambitious sprinter and its GC talisman, Jonas Vingegaard.

Easiest and least eventful stage of the Vuelta ahead of GC finale

Wednesday’s stage was by far the easiest of the race. With less than 1,000m of climbing across the 185km course, there was only one way the stage would play out – a big bunch sprint.

The looming threat of a crucial time trial and two nasty mountain stages from Thursday through Saturday further killed any incentive for attackers to try anything smart.

Enzo Paleni (Groupama FDJ) and Sinuhé Fernández (Burgos-Burpellet BH) bravely fronted up to go into the day’s token breakaway.

Visma-Lease a Bike’s sprint rivals Cofidis and Red Bull leaned on the Killer Bees to do all the pulling in this final chance for the sprinters.

Steven Kruijswijk plowed a lonely furrow at the front for seemingly hours. The pace was resultantly sedate at best.

The stage finally sparked into life when Cofidis moved up to help Visma-Lease a Bike at around 20km to go.

The bunch reeled in Paleni at 5km to go after he put up a strong resistance from the early break.

Uno-X piled to the front in the final kilometers for Cort, perhaps forcing Van Aert to drop Brennan onto the charging Scandinavian train.

From there, the 21-year-old was untouchable.

Vuelta a España reaches GC endgame: Can Mas bring it home?

The Vuelta a España will take a very different tone from here through Sunday.

A 32km TT, two mountain stages, and an explosive circuit race in Granada will decide who takes home the red jersey.

Vuelta a España stage 17 results