Matthew Brennan claims first Vuelta win in Manosque

Matthew Brennan has moved onto the Vuelta’s overall podium after winning stage two in Manosque on his first Grand Tour appearance for Visma-Lease a Bike. Tadej Pogacar kept the red leader’s jersey, with Wout van Aert now second and Brennan third.

Brennan produced the decisive finish after Christophe Laporte delivered him to the final sprint. He opened a clear gap on Pau Miquel, while Pogacar crossed third. The result followed a late attack by Van Aert, who briefly went clear with Pogacar before the pair were caught beneath the final kilometre.

The stage had earlier featured a four-man breakaway involving Koen Bouwman, Diego Uriarte, Ethan Hayter and Sihue Fernandez. Bouwman took both classified climbs to secure the mountains jersey, while Hayter later made a solo move for the intermediate sprint and its six-second bonus. His attempt succeeded, but he was caught in a split near the finish and ended 31 seconds behind Brennan.

Brennan’s victory gives Visma-Lease a Bike an immediate result from his first Grand Tour start, while Pogacar retains control of the general classification. The race’s first summit finish comes next at Font Romeu, where the standings face a tougher test.