Eddie Dunbar Wins Stage 19 at Vuelta a España as Enric Mas Nears Overall Triumph

The 2026 Vuelta a España entered its decisive mountain stages with Enric Mas wearing the red jersey as the race leader. The competition had been fierce, with several riders making their mark in earlier stages, but Mas managed to keep a firm grip on the overall standings.

Irish rider Eddie Dunbar was among those looking to make an impact. Having battled back from serious injury earlier in the season, Dunbar came into Stage 19 aiming for a strong result after showing resilience throughout the race. Santiago Buitrago, a talented Colombian climber, was also in contention for a stage win, especially in the high mountains.

On September 11, during the grueling 211-kilometer Stage 19 to the summit of Puerto de Peñas Blancas, Eddie Dunbar launched a decisive late attack. In the final 300 meters, he overtook Santiago Buitrago, who had led for much of the climb, to claim a memorable stage victory. According to El Colombiano, Buitrago narrowly missed out after being caught just before the finish line.

Enric Mas finished the stage safely in the main group, maintaining his overall lead. His performance put him another step closer to the overall win, as reported by Telegraaf.

The next day, September 12, saw Spain's Mikel Landa take the spotlight in Stage 20. Landa attacked on the final climb of the Collado del Alguacil, breaking away solo to secure his first Vuelta stage win in five years. Meanwhile, Mas defended his red jersey on the queen stage, extending his advantage over his closest rivals.

With these results, the race approached its final day with Mas in a commanding position and the Spanish fans hopeful for a home winner for the first time since 2014.

Enric Mas leads the general classification with a comfortable margin as the Vuelta enters its last stage. His consistent riding through the toughest mountain tests has put overall victory within his grasp, barring any last-minute surprises.

Eddie Dunbar's Stage 19 win stands out as a career highlight, especially after his return from injury. Mikel Landa's Stage 20 success adds to the Spanish celebrations, but all eyes remain on Mas as he prepares to finish the race in Madrid.

The final stage will confirm whether Enric Mas can seal his first Vuelta a España overall victory and become the first Spanish winner in over a decade. The last day is usually a formality for the leader, but cycling fans will be watching to see if any late drama unfolds.