Wout van Aert of Team Visma | Lease a Bike claimed victory in the 15th stage of La Vuelta 2026 on Sunday. The stage, originally planned to be 189.7 kilometers, was shortened to 110.2 kilometers due to extreme heat conditions, a common adjustment in professional cycling to protect riders' health. The race saw an early breakaway by a group of 11 riders, but van Aert re-entered the competition after an intermediate sprint, which is a key point in the stage where riders can gain time or points. Van Aert's group of five riders included Andreas Leknessund, who managed to stay with him during the final kilometers. A second group of riders attempted to close the gap but failed to do so. In the final stretch, despite several aggressive attacks by other cyclists, van Aert powered through to win the sprint in Córdoba. This victory marked his second win of the La Vuelta 2026, following his first success on the same tour two days earlier. Van Aert crossed the finish line ahead of Alessandro Romele from the XDS Astana Team and Thibau Nys from Lidl-Trek, both of whom had started the final sprint from a distance. The win further solidified van Aert’s position as a key contender in the overall race. Meanwhile, Enric Mas of Movistar Team maintained the red jersey, which signifies the leader of the general classification, heading into the second and final rest day of the tour on Monday. The reduction in stage length and the dramatic racing conditions highlighted the challenges faced by cyclists in extreme weather. As the race moves toward its final stages, the competition for the overall title remains intense, with multiple riders still in contention.