Mikel Landa claimed a solo victory on stage 20 of the Vuelta a España, launching a decisive attack 12 kilometres from the summit finish at Collado del Alguacil to win the queen stage of the race. The Soudal Quick-Step rider covered the 186.8km route from La Calahorra — featuring five classified climbs — in 4 hours 58 minutes and 1 second, finishing 47 seconds clear of Tobias Halland Johannessen and 1:27 ahead of Ramses Debruyne.
At 36, Landa delivered a performance reminiscent of his peak years, taking his 17th career victory and his first Grand Tour stage win in nine years. His last triumph had come at the 2021 Vuelta a Burgos. In what has been a difficult season, the Basque rider may have provided one final signature moment before his move to Euskaltel-Euskadi next year.
Behind the breakaway, the general classification battle unfolded across the stage's five climbs. Richard Carapaz attacked repeatedly in pursuit of a podium spot, while Felix Gall made the decisive move on the final ascent, taking race leader Enric Mas with him. The Movistar rider crossed the line 6:54 down on Landa but safely retained the red jersey, extending his lead over Primoz Roglic to 2:15.
Sepp Kuss was the other standout performer of the day. The 2023 Vuelta winner launched a long-range attack 97km from the finish, vaulting six places in the general classification from 11th to fifth. Oscar Onley, now sixth, remains on course for the white jersey as best young rider.\n Mas is now on the verge of sealing his first Grand Tour title. The 31-year-old只需 complete Sunday's ceremonial 112km stage around Granada to become the first Spaniard to win the Vuelta since Alberto Contador in 2014. It would finally deliver the triumph that has eluded him through three runner-up finishes in 2018, 2021 and 2022.
Stage 20 Results
1. Mikel Landa (Spa/Soudal Quick-Step) 4h58'01" 2. Tobias Halland Johannessen (Nor/Uno-X Mobility) +47" 3. Ramses Debruyne (Bel/Alpecin-Premier Tech) +1:27 4. Pau Miquel (Spa/Bahrain Victorious) +3:00 5. Urko Berrade (Spa/Kern Pharma) +4:12
General Classification After Stage 20
1. Enric Mas (Spa/Movistar) 70h56'58" 2. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +2:15 3. Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon CMA CGM) +2:44 4. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/EF Education-EasyPost) +6:54 5. Sepp Kuss (Usa/Visma-Lease a Bike) +8:45
Sources
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/articles/c39m7rm00lko https://www.cyclingnews.com/pro-cycling/racing/vuelta-a-espana-enric-mas-passes-arduous-final-mountain-test-to-keep-red-as-mikel-landa-soars-to-stage-20-breakaway-victory-atop-collado-del-alguacil/
