Enric Mas wins Vuelta stage 9, extends overall lead

Enric Mas solidified his position as the new leader of the 2026 Vuelta a España by winning the grueling ninth stage to the Alto de Aitana on Sunday, August 30, a day after race favorite Tadej Pogačar was forced to withdraw due to a crash. The victory by the Spanish Movistar Team rider came after he inherited the race lead following Pogačar's abandonment on Saturday, August 29. Pogačar, who had been leading the race by 3 minutes and 50 seconds, crashed during Stage 8 and sustained a concussion, a broken left collarbone, and a C7 cervical fracture. The injuries are expected to end his 2026 racing season.