"When you’re fighting for a spot on the podium, everyone has to make sacrifices" - Felix Gall seals second Grand Tour podium this season at Vuelta a Espana
CyclingMonday, 14 September 2026 at 15:10
Felix Gall knows that his second Grand Tour podium finish didn't come lightly, his third place at the Vuelta a Espana is forged in the hard work and sacrifices made by his Decathlon CMA CGM teammates.
The Austrian followed up his Giro d'Italia second place with a third place finish in Spain, even putting time into the red jersey Enric Mas and second place Primoz Roglic on Saturday's queen stage, proving that he was among the strongest climbers at the race.
Decathlon featured prominently through multiple mountain stages throughout the three weeks, often working to put pressure on the top ten contenders before Gall made attacking moves. Despite their influence on the race waining in periods due to abandons and an ever-changing general classification battle, Gall paid tribute to his teammates.
"My main goal this year was to finish on the podium in a Grand Tour. The Giro went very well, and I was already able to achieve that goal there. I hoped to do the same during the Vuelta, and I was able to repeat that performance."
Felix Gall
Gall pays tribute to Decathlon team
"I had a really strong team, and their dedication was incredible throughout those three weeks. When you’re fighting for a spot on the podium, everyone has to make sacrifices and give 100% toward that goal."
Working towards their podium goal, Gall praised his teammates for delivering their end of the bargain as his legs did the talking, holding off multiple attacks from Richard Carapaz on Saturday to keep control of third.
Decathlon also won the teams classification, meaning that the entire finishing team were able to stand on the top podium in Granada.
Decathlon take teams classification victory in Granada
"That’s exactly what happened over the past three weeks, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
"I've been with the team for five years now, and I feel like I reach a new milestone every year; that's really rewarding. It's also great that we all get to stand on the podium together for the team classification and that I can share this moment with my teammates."
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Mas held on to secure the overall victory on Sunday, boasting a 2:15 gap over Primoz Roglic and not losing time to the Slovenian over the course of the final two weeks except for the time trial on stage 18 - which favoured Roglic more than the Spanish rider.
Meanwhile, Gall was in second place until that time trial but lost time to both riders and finding his place in third - where he remained until its conclusion.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- Nothing new there
Rafionain-Glas14-09-2026 - "In fact, UAE took 5,565 points at the Tour, a number that alone exceeds Visma’s combined Giro and Vuelta tally" Somebody clearly can't do the math herevappaxbipmv14-09-2026
- The only reason he caught Pogi is that Pogi didn't know Mas was chasing him and was taking it a little easy. Yes my friend, Mas surprised Pogi. Ad acta!!!PogiSloFans14-09-2026
- Your comment makes more sense than what the author of this article wrote. PS: Mas is one of the biggest record breakers in the history of cycling!!! Sarcasm PressPogiSloFans14-09-2026
- Joke of the last decade: "The 2026 Vuelta a España has come to a conclusion and Enric Mas has been able to do what only two other riders in the history of the sport have managed to: Win a Grand Tour where Tadej Pogacar was at the start." !?!? PS: ... ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ... One of the funniest jokes in cycling history, not because of Primož and Jonas ... ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ...PogiSloFans14-09-2026
- An excellent point, that Mas catching Pogačar on that steep goat track climb helped legitimize the win - had he just inherited the space and not passed Pogačar and not won the stage, I'd have far more questions. As it is, yes, sadly, a crash put him into the lead, but he earned the place to have taken that lead, and he defended it well when it mattered.RidesHills14-09-2026
- Weren't you staying away from these comment boards until Pogačar raced again?RidesHills14-09-2026
- The factor of the no-Pogacar, is another point of note, no one wins with Pogacar around or it's close.. I think their should be a rule, if Pogacar's in a race then his results should be ignored
leedorney14-09-2026 - what a garbage takewrsty14-09-2026
- Pity Kuss couldn’t find back his past performance except for one or two good stages. Makes you wonder how he ever managed to win it even if you ignore the others on the podium were restrained.Jumpyjohn14-09-2026
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