“I’m definitely aiming for a stage win”: Santiago Buitrago sets his sights on Vuelta victory after retaining KOM lead
CyclingMonday, 07 September 2026 at 03:00
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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- If security and health were a problem, then yesterday should have been canceled altogether. It was 36° in Villaviciosa yesterday but 41° in Córdoba city where the race finished. As I stated where most of the race took place was on long narrow country roads with deep ditches and slopes on either side. No where to park a car or stand safely and watch. As for living somewhere else?To have cycling on my doorstep? Thank you. I also have a chalet in Alpe d'Huez, which I use in the winter mainly for skiing. But was extremely fortunate to watch Tadej Pogaćar's record breaking ascent on July 24th.RolandDekker07-09-2026
- Correction: 63000 swiss = $77,891 or 67.035 euros.PogiSloFans07-09-2026
- Janja Garnbret a year ago about Pogačar: "Tadej is considered the best cyclist in the world because of his rare combination of unmatched physical endurance, explosive power, and an all-around racing style that lets him win almost any type of event. He also has exceptional tactical intelligence and racecraft. A few months ago he said to me: In my view, cycling intelligence is simple... keep control, play smart, avoid overthinking, and ensure you have the best legs on the day."PogiSloFans07-09-2026
- Seixas, instead of doing the tdf and riding round, should've done this and he'd have won it
leedorney07-09-2026 - Haven’t seen many crowds lately and sorry but temperatures are certainly above average with 45.7 yesterday. Every degree starts to count above 36, 37 and each is a lot worse than the previous one. Security and health should definitely trump fans, especially for a free event. Should consider moving to a different part of the world if you live for cycling coming to your doorstep.Jumpyjohn06-09-2026
- Didn’t want but did and the opposite in the Vuelta, someone might have to start reviewing strategies.Jumpyjohn06-09-2026
- Hopefully with these kind of experiences, more people will start to think a bit deeper about all the exploited that have to work all day almost day in worse heat with no-one to feed or hydrate them. The deaths in the name of being on time for hosting mega sport events didn’t register on people’s consciousness very long, if at all. Is it a coincidence there’s quite a few connections between some of the sponsors in cycling and those events. Makes you wonder how much they’d be willing to pay to start a summer cycling league for has been cyclists, or is that only interesting with football?Jumpyjohn06-09-2026
- There is no right or wrong. Different strokes. He at least knows it because he allows eaxh to answer for themselves, is that what cycling wants? Obviously quite a few do because that’s how it is. Now, I’m not saying he doesn’t have a point but if you’re going to go down a path like that then how far are you willing to go? Will you also reconsider the financial inequalities and other problems precarious teams have to deal with, or the pressures they are under to survive, something none of the top tier teams really have to think about when planning a season?Jumpyjohn06-09-2026
- The number of participants is limited anyway. Before asking others to join the big races he should also be explaining who they should then be replacing who are taking part.Jumpyjohn06-09-2026
- An absolutely perfectly played out win by van Aert. The rest couldn’t attack him in any successful way and he was just that much stronger. It’s nice to see him back after that terrible 2024 crash. As fun as ever to watchRidesHills06-09-2026
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