“I’m definitely aiming for a stage win”: Santiago Buitrago sets his sights on Vuelta victory after retaining KOM lead
Cycling
Santiago Buitrago enters the final week of the 2026 Vuelta a España with one clear objective beyond defending the polka-dot jersey: finally winning a stage. The Bahrain Victorious rider retained his lead in the mountains classification after a shortened and chaotic stage 15, but he knows the hardest battles for the jersey are still to come.
The Colombian currently leads the KOM classification by 29 points, a margin that might look comfortable on paper but means little with several major climbs still awaiting the peloton.
Saturday's stage in particular could provide almost 50 points, meaning Buitrago will need to remain aggressive if he wants to carry the jersey all the way to the finish in Madrid.
After another demanding day in extreme heat, however, Buitrago welcomed the timing of the second rest day. Stage 15 had been reduced from 189.7 kilometres to just 110.2km because of the weather, but the shorter distance did little to calm the racing. Five riders ultimately fought for the stage victory in Córdoba, with Wout van Aert taking his second win in three stages.
Santiago Buitrago at the 2026 Vuelta a España
Buitrago knows the mountains jersey is far from secure
The shortened stage began at an extraordinary pace, with riders averaging close to 50km/h during the opening kilometres as the breakaway battle unfolded. Visma | Lease a Bike then put the pressure on the Puerto Artafi, reducing the peloton to around 40 riders and helping create the conditions for Van Aert's decisive move.
Buitrago was not involved in the fight for the stage win, but his attention was elsewhere. The Colombian's main objective was to protect the advantage he has built in the mountains classification, knowing that the final week contains considerably more opportunities for his rivals to score points.
That is why the rest day comes at an important moment for the Bahrain - Victorious rider. “I’m very happy that tomorrow is a rest day. Personally I really need it, and this way we’re ready for the final week,” Buitrago said.
The 26-year-old has already spent considerable energy fighting for the KOM jersey throughout the Vuelta. His current lead gives him some room for manoeuvre, but Buitrago is refusing to consider the classification won. “I think [having a 29-point lead] is never enough, knowing how much is left,” he explained.
His concern is justified. Saturday's queen stage will offer a huge number of points, creating the possibility for a major swing in the classification. Buitrago therefore expects the fight to remain open until the final mountain stages.
“There are two very key stages in this Vuelta, with Saturday’s stage awarding almost 50 points. We have to recover well, be very smart, and defend ourselves until the end.”
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The Colombian wants more than just the polka-dot jersey
While defending the mountains classification remains an important goal, Buitrago has already identified another target for the closing stages of the race: a stage victory. “I’m definitely aiming for a stage win, and I’ll certainly try again in this final week,” he said.
For Buitrago, completing the Vuelta with both the mountains jersey and a stage victory would turn an already successful race into a standout result. “Winning a stage would be the icing on the cake, especially with this jersey.”
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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