Vuelta a Asturias 2026 stage 4 Results | Nairo Quintana takes first GC win in 4 years; Mexican Edgar Cadena takes second consecutive win

Nairo Quintana seals overall victory at the 2026 Vuelta a Asturias ahead of Adrià Pericas and his Movistar Team teammate Diego Pescador. Mexican rider Edgar Cadena has won stage 4, his second consecutive one, meaning he conquered half of the race's stages.

The 'Vueltina' closed true to its design: relentless terrain, tactical racing, and a thrilling finish in Oviedo. The final stage, 152 kilometres from Lugones to the Asturian capital, confirmed two standout names: Cadena and Quintana.

The race was nervous from the outset. After several early moves, with Viktor Bugaenko as the first agitator, a solid break formed after kilometre 100 with riders such as Ugarte, Heidemann, Layrac, Meijers, and Pérez-Landaluce. The group earned more than two minutes on terrain that favoured this kind of move.

Even so, the peloton kept things under control. UAE Team Emirates-XRG rode for Adrià Pericas, while Movistar Team firmly protected Nairo Quintana’s lead. The gap fell steadily until the break was caught on the Alto de El Padrún, 19 kilometres from the finish.

Álvaro Sagrado tried to jump clear before the next hurdle; but Movistar’s pace, with Pelayo Sánchez and Diego Pescador, snuffed out every move before the decisive ascent to La Manzaneda. With 11 kilometers to go, the Spanish squad tightened the screw for good.

In San Esteban de las Cruces, inside the final 10 kilometres, the last battle began. Nairo Quintana took charge from the base of the climb, increasing the pace and whittling down the group. The first serious attack came from Adrià Pericas, answered immediately by the Colombian and by Pescador.

From there, it turned into a constant exchange of attacks. Edgar Cadena was among the most persistent: he tried first without success, closely marked by the favourites, but with eight kilometres remaining he picked the right moment. His third attack finally opened a gap, capitalising on hesitation in the chase.

Behind, Pericas tried to crack Quintana with a stinging acceleration six kilometres from the line, but the leader responded solidly. The Catalan even distanced the Colombian briefly over the final kicker, though without creating a decisive gap.

Meanwhile, Cadena crested in front and plunged toward Oviedo with a few seconds that proved enough. Even a late collaboration between Pericas, Quintana, Juaristi, and Díaz couldn’t bring the Mexican back.

In the closing kilometres, the favourites regrouped, but the gap couldn't be closed. Edgar Cadena reached the line alone, signing his second consecutive win in the Asturian race.

Behind, Nairo Quintana managed the situation without alarms to secure the overall, which he began with a 31-second cushion. The Colombian not only resisted Pericas’s attacks, he also imposed himself when it mattered most, backed by a solid Movistar Team.

The final general classification of the Vuelta a Asturias confirmed Nairo Quintana’s triumph, with Adrià Pericas second and the podium fight settled after a day of maximum demands.