Not only Brennan beat Pogačar in Vuelta sprint as Pau Miquel delivers surprise result

Matthew Brennan took most of the headlines after Stage 2 of the Vuelta a España, with the Visma | Lease a Bike Briton winning the punchy sprint by several bike lengths. Tadej Pogačar retained the overall lead, but missed out on two bonus seconds after a bold Spaniard from Bahrain Victorious also managed to beat him to the line.

All eyes were on Visma | Lease a Bike in the finale of the Vuelta's second stage. Wout van Aert attacked before Brennan eventually finished off the job with a commanding stage victory. Pogačar, racing in the red jersey, was alert to the danger as well. The UAE Emirates-XRG leader responded to Van Aert's move, but could do nothing when Brennan launched his sprint.

Behind the stage winner, the fight for the remaining podium places was much closer. Pogačar eventually crossed the line in third, with Lidl-Trek's Mads Pedersen fourth. But the rider who split Brennan and Pogačar in the results was Pau Miquel of Bahrain Victorious.

The 26-year-old Spaniard is a fast finisher who is also capable of getting over a climb, which made the uphill run-in to Manosque particularly well suited to him. Bahrain Victorious backed Miquel all the way to the line, and he managed to throw his wheel ahead of Pogačar's to claim second place.

“To be honest, I’m happy with this second place, although not completely satisfied because we came here looking for a stage victory,” Miquel said afterwards via Bahrain Victorious' official channels. “But I think we made the most of our first opportunity; only Brennan was stronger today, so we’ll keep trying.”

Miquel joined Bahrain Victorious from Equipo Kern Pharma ahead of this season and has already shown several times in 2026 that he can compete in demanding races. He also finished second at the Antwerp Port Epic earlier this year, underlining that his speed remains dangerous after a hard day in the saddle.

For the potentially reduced or uphill sprints still to come in this Vuelta, the man from Sant Quirze del Vallès is therefore worth keeping a close eye on. “The team did a great job, really a 10 out of 10,” Miquel continued. “They put me in a perfect position for the finale, so I’m happy with my sensations and I think the work was done very well. There are still many opportunities ahead, so we have to try to take every one of them.”

Sports director Franco Pellizotti was equally encouraged. Bahrain had already identified Miquel as one of its riders capable of chasing stage victories before the Vuelta began, alongside the team's wider ambitions with Santiago Buitrago and Pello Bilbao.

“Pau was our leader for the stage and we knew it would be a hard finale,” Pellizotti explained. “In the end, I’m happy with the result. Second place, ahead of Pogačar and Pedersen, and behind Brennan, who is a very strong rider, especially at the moment and in this type of sprint.”