In a scorching display of endurance, Wout van Aert clinched his fourth career stage victory at the Vuelta a España on Friday, navigating the challenging 192-kilometer route from Almuñécar to Loja in extreme heat. The Belgian cyclist's impressive performance was highlighted by his victory over fellow breakaway rider Valentin Paret-Peintre, as he crossed the finish line after approximately four and a half hours of racing.
This win marks Van Aert's first stage victory in the current edition of the Vuelta, following a successful campaign in 2024 where he secured three stages. His latest triumph adds to an already remarkable career that includes ten stages at the Tour de France and numerous one-day classics, solidifying his status as one of the elite riders in professional cycling.
Van Aert's victory also contributed to Team Visma Lease a Bike's impressive performance in this year's Vuelta, marking their fourth stage win. Meanwhile, Enric Mas of Movistar retained the coveted red jersey, maintaining a lead of 1 minute and 45 seconds over four-time champion Primož Roglič, who finished in a group approximately three minutes behind Van Aert.
The conditions on the day of the race were particularly grueling, with temperatures soaring to 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit) in Loja. Riders faced significant challenges as they battled the heat, with one competitor likening the experience to having a “hair dryer blowing in your face.” American cyclist Sepp Kuss, also from Team Visma Lease a Bike, described the stage as extremely tough due to the heat and intense pace, emphasizing the importance of hydration and the organizers' efforts to provide additional water stations.
Enric Mas, who has led the Vuelta since Tadej Pogačar withdrew following a crash last Saturday, is aiming to become the first Spanish rider to win the event since Alberto Contador in 2014. Mas has previously finished as the runner-up in the Vuelta on three occasions—2018, 2021, and 2022—and is keen to secure a sufficient lead to withstand Roglič's challenge during the upcoming time trial on Stage 18.
Friday's Stage 13 took place just south of Granada, with the three-week race set to conclude on September 13. Looking ahead, the riders will face a 154-kilometer stage from Jaen to Sierra de la Pandera on Saturday, with Mas stating that the team's primary goal is to maintain the red jersey for the next day.
This year's Vuelta a España is unique in that it is entirely set in southern Spain, without any of the classic mountain finishes typically found in the country's greener northern regions. As the competition progresses, the challenges posed by the heat and terrain will continue to test the riders' limits.
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