“The way we rode as a team today was a masterclass,” Van Aert beamed after the finish. “Bruno and I were able to sit in the wheels for a large part of the stage because we had Matthew in the front group. It’s never easy when you have multiple riders up front. With Matthew and me there, the other riders didn’t want to go to the finish, so attacking was the best form of defense. We always wanted to create a new situation before they could force us onto the defensive,” Van Aert explained.

Several attackers tried to go clear, but Brennan positioned himself in the front group and did important work to protect Van Aert’s position. As the race progressed, it became clear that the two teammates would play an important role in the fight for the stage victory.

What followed was a tactical battle. Brennan and Van Aert remained extremely attentive and responded every time someone tried to ride away. No attack was given enough room to succeed. Whenever another rider accelerated, one of the two yellow-and-black riders was immediately on their wheel. “We’re not afraid to sacrifice ourselves for each other. We kept attacking, and eventually it worked,” Van Aert said.

With 3.6 kilometers to go, the Belgian launched a powerful attack, with Valentin Paret-Peintre the only rider able to follow. The two riders broke clear of the remaining escapees and would battle it out between themselves for the thirteenth stage victory of La Vuelta. “I had actually planned that attack, yes,” Van Aert admitted. “When I looked at the stage profile before the race, I saw that final kick towards the village. At that distance from the finish, riders often start thinking about the sprint already. If you can create a gap there, the others start looking at each other. It was worth trying, and Valentin was a good companion to have,” he concluded.

Teammate Brennan also looked back on the stage with pride: “I’m actually quite speechless. To be able to do that work for him today feels better than a win. Wout is a great guy and he works incredibly hard. He also does a lot of work for me. That’s who he is: a real superstar. I’m really happy that I could do my part to get him the victory that he deserves.”