Van Aert wins Vuelta Stage 13 Sept 4

Wout van Aert surged to victory on stage 13 of the Vuelta a España on Friday, claiming his first stage win of this edition after a late attack and a two-up sprint. The Belgian rider from Visma Lease a Bike outpaced Valentin Paret-Peintre of Soudal QuickStep in Loja, Spain, capping a demanding 192.8-kilometer route from Almuñécar. The stage was marked by scorching heat, with temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), and saw a large breakaway group form early on, eventually swelling to 43 riders. As the race entered its decisive phase, the front group dwindled to a select few. Van Aert launched his decisive move with 3.7 kilometers remaining, and Paret-Peintre was the only rider able to follow. The pair worked together briefly before Van Aert proved stronger in the final sprint. Matthew Brennan, Van Aert's teammate from Visma Lease a Bike, played a crucial role in setting up the victory. Brennan, who had already secured three stage wins earlier in the race, worked tirelessly in the final 15 kilometers to chase down multiple attacks from riders including Léo Bisiaux and Kevin Vermaerke.