Image source: Instagram/@woutvanaert
Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert triumphed in stage seven of the Vuelta a España, securing his second stage win in this year’s race. The intense 180.5 km ride from Archidona to Cordoba concluded with a thrilling sprint, where Van Aert emerged victorious.
Australian rider Ben O’Connor maintained his position as the overall leader, comfortably finishing in the leading group. O’Connor, who took the red jersey after winning stage six, now holds a significant lead of 4 minutes and 45 seconds over three-time champion Primož Roglič.
During the race, Czech cyclist Mathias Vacek of Lidl-Trek secured second place, while Spain’s Pau Miquel Delgado of Kern Pharma finished third. The day’s route featured a challenging climb at Alto del 14%, but with 26 kilometers remaining and a flat stretch ahead, a bunch sprint was inevitable.
Roglič and his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team set a fierce pace during the climb, creating a split in the race. This left 33 riders to contest the stage win. Despite the tough conditions, Van Aert managed to outshine his rivals, thanks to the support of his team.
One of Wout van Aert’s main competitors, Australia’s Kaden Groves, who won stage two, crashed while trying to rejoin the leaders. This incident removed a key threat from the final sprint.
Marc Soler of UAE Team Emirates made an attempt to break away during the descent, but Van Aert’s teammate, Sepp Kuss, took charge and reeled him in. Kuss’s tireless efforts allowed Van Aert to take control in the final moments. As the sprint unfolded, it was clear that Wout van Aert was the strongest.
Wout van Aert’s victory also solidified his position as the leader in the points classification. Grateful for his teammate’s support, he praised Kuss’s remarkable effort. “Sepp did an amazing job. People don’t realize how tough it is to pull at that pace, especially on the flat,” Wout van Aert said.
While Roglič managed to shave just six seconds off O’Connor’s lead, O’Connor remained unfazed. “Primož is strong in sprints for bonuses, but it will take a lot more to close that gap,” O’Connor commented confidently.
As the Vuelta continues, all eyes are on O’Connor, who looks determined to defend his lead, and on Van Aert, who is riding with unstoppable momentum.
