In a league of his own 🚴💨 La Vuelta a España 2026 Stage 17 Highlights

Only two men in the breakaway today. The indefatigable Sinue Fernandez of Burgos, who's already spent 600 kilometres in the breakaway at this Vuelta, and Enzo Pellaini of Groupama FDJ United. They had a pretty comfortable gap over the peloton, and even time to discuss tactics. The gap growing to five and a half minutes, and obviously no danger for the race leader Enric Mas, but everybody was staying focused. Visma taking over from Coffordis, who'd done quite a bit of the early pacing and starting to bring the gap down. It was closer to four minutes as they entered the final 75 kilometres. The peloton stepping on the gas as the break's advantage came down to around a minute and a half. The average speed at this point was just over 43 kilometres an hour. Coffordis taking control of the peloton again for their sprinter Brian Cocker, who took his first Grand Tour stage win back on stage eight. The Frenchman was the only man in the bunch today to have previously won in Sevilla. That was back in 2017 on the Ruta del Sol. The peloton just playing a bit of cat and mouse with Fernandez and Pellaini as they approach the final, their lead back up to over two minutes. Next up was the intermediate sprint in San Jose de la Rinconada, 20 kilometres from the finish. Fernandez and Pellaini just rolling through with the peloton not far behind. Van Aert looking for more points and he wasn't the only one, with Cocker also in the mix. Van Aert is on the wheel and there's going to be a big sprint between these riders, look at Cocker and Van Aert. Van Aert appeared a little puzzled by Cocker's determination to beat him to the line. The Frenchman presumably explaining that only the top three in the points classification take UCI points, which Coffordis need as they bid to return to the World Tour in 2028. Cocker began the day fourth, 34 points down on Alessandro Romelle, but this reduced the gap to 19. In the meantime Pellaini had gone solo at the front, though he wasn't too sure how much of a lead he still had. The Groupama FDJ United man with a minute in hand as they raced into Sevilla. Now Pellaini, who's never won a professional bike race, gave it a good go, but this was pretty much mission impossible. He was swallowed up with three kilometres remaining as Unix Mobility took command of the peloton for Magnus Court. The Danish champion eyeing up a seventh Vuelta stage win, but he had Matty Brennan on the wheel as they geared up for the bunch sprints. Here we go now, flat out, Magnus Court right hand side, but just behind him is Matthew Brennan, Brennan starts to kick now, here comes Jordi Moos, Jordi Moos flying, but it's Matthew Brennan, it's a handful of victories in La Vuelta. Another day and yet another victory for Matthew Brennan, that is now five for the breakout star of this Vuelta. Visma matching UAE's performance from last year with their seventh stage win, and Brennan's success will no doubt be giving them ideas for 2027. Coming to this Vuelta is also a stepping stone for next year and next year's ambitions as well. To be so successful here, also with the team, I can only say I really look forward to next year's plans. If I can come into the season with the same shape and same high ambitions, then it would be really good to hit the classic season and also some of the grand tours that are on offer next year as well. Brennan in a league of his own at this Vuelta and completing his manita ahead of Moos and Courts. Romele and Stéphane Descourteniers completed the top five with Kocka down in tenth. Another quiet one for race leader Enric Mas and the GC protagonists, but they will take centre stage again in the coming days with the individual time trial and some big mountains on the menu. Van Aert is one day closer to taking home that green jersey, with Brennan now just 43 points behind. Despite his efforts at the intermediate sprint, Kocka still trails Romele by 30 points. No change in the mountains classification, where Santiago Buitrago still leads Van Aert by 29 points. And a similar story in the youth classification, although there will no doubt be a shake-up in tomorrow's time trial. Stage 18 could have a major impact on the final outcome of this Vuelta, so don't miss it. Join us again on Thursday and thanks for watching.