7 stage wins and the green jersey - “It’s been three fantastic weeks” for Wout Van Aert, Matthew Brennan and Visma
CyclingSunday, 13 September 2026 at 22:13
Seven stage wins, a green jersey, and the super-combativity award. The team’s tally at this Vuelta a España could hardly be more emphatic. Wout van Aert and Matthew Brennan were central to a race in which the squad comfortably hit its target: fighting for stage victories.
Van Aert wrapped up the three weeks with two stage wins, the green points jersey, and the title of most combative rider of the Vuelta. The Belgian thus capped a race with special meaning for him, after the disappointment of his withdrawal two years ago.
“It’s been three fantastic weeks,” said Van Aert, who underlined the special value of taking the green jersey. “It means a lot to me to win the green jersey here. I also wore it at the Vuelta two years ago, but then that crash happened. Leaving that Vuelta was a huge disappointment. That’s why it means even more to be on the podium today.”
The Belgian also highlighted the collective performance of his team, which more than met expectations. “As a team, we can look back on a successful race. We came here targeting stage wins and, without a doubt, we achieved that goal,” he explained.
Matthew Brennan at the 2026 Vuelta a España
Matthew Brennan's historical Grand Tour debut
If Van Aert supplied experience and consistency, Brennan brought a remarkable dose of youth and firepower. On his Grand Tour debut, the Briton became one of the revelations of the race by clinching no fewer than five stages.
“I’ll remember this as a very special period,” said Brennan. The young rider shared the credit with the whole team and had particularly heartfelt words on a day also marked by Steven’s farewell to racing. “Today, Steven said goodbye to cycling. He’s been through a lot, but even he said how unique our performance in this race has been. That means a lot to me.”
The numbers speak for themselves: seven stage wins for the team, five of them by Brennan. A tally the Briton admits was far beyond his expectations before the race began.
Five wins for Brennan
“We won seven stages, five of them by me. It was far more than I could ever have dreamed of,” he acknowledged. And far from showing fatigue after such a demanding debut, Brennan said he enjoyed it to the very last moment: “I enjoyed this experience right to the final metre today.”
Between them, Brennan and Van Aert amassed seven stage victories and turned the Vuelta into a perfect showcase for the team’s potential. The Briton emerged as one of the major revelations of the race on his first Grand Tour, while Van Aert reaffirmed his versatility, adding the green jersey and the super-combativity prize to his two wins.
A haul that is hard to better, leaving the sense that, for both riders, these three weeks will rank among the most special of their seasons.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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