Spain’s Enric Mas increased his overall lead in the Vuelta a España after a challenging mountain stage, while Slovenia’s Jakob Omrzel claimed his first Grand Tour stage victory. The 17km final climb to Calar Alto proved decisive, with Omrzel, just 20 years old, breaking away from his breakaway companions and finishing nearly two minutes ahead of Urko Berrade of Spain, with Colombia’s Santiago Buitrago in third. This result brought Omrzel within 30 seconds of Oscar Onley in the best young rider classification, though Onley had a difficult day, crashing early and losing time on the climb. Onley, riding for Netcompany Ineos, was dropped by his main rivals on the final ascent and finished over two minutes behind Mas. Meanwhile, Mas, riding for Movistar, launched a decisive attack with about 13km remaining in the 166.6km stage, breaking away from a small group that included four-time Vuelta winner Primoz Roglic and Felix Gall. Roglic and Gall, currently second and third overall, struggled to keep up with Mas in the sweltering heat, allowing him to extend his lead by 27 seconds. Despite finishing sixth in the stage, Mas widened his overall lead to one minute and 56 seconds. The Vuelta has faced setbacks, with Tadej Pogacar, the race leader before stage eight, crashing out of the competition after breaking his collarbone. The injury may end his season and has shifted the focus to other contenders. The race will continue through the mountainous regions of Andalusia, with stages in and around Malaga and Granada’s Sierra Nevada, before concluding on Sunday, 13 September. Stage 12 results were as follows: 1. Jakob Omrzel (Slo/Bahrain Victorious) 4 hrs 29 mins 53 secs; 2. Urko Berrade (Spa/Equipo Kern Pharma) +1 min 56 secs; 3. Santiago Buitrago (Col/Bahrain Victorious) +2 mins 13 secs; 4. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz/NSN Cycling Team) +2 mins 49 secs; 5. Mauri Vansevenant (Bel/Soudal Quick-Step) +2 mins 53 secs; 6. Enric Mas (Spa/Movistar Team) +2 mins 56 secs; 7. Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon CMA CGM Team) +3 mins 23 secs; 8. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) same time; 9. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/EF Education - EasyPost); 10. Gregor Muhlberger (Aut/Decathlon CMA CGM Team) +3 mins 50 secs. In the general classification, Enric Mas leads with 40 hours 31 minutes 51 seconds, followed by Primoz Roglic at +1 minute 45 seconds, Felix Gall at +2 minutes 06 seconds, Richard Carapaz at +3 minutes 53 seconds, and Oscar Onley at +4 minutes 29 seconds. Jakob Omrzel is sixth overall, 4 minutes and 59 seconds behind Mas.