Córdoba brings luck to Wout van Aert once again. The Belgian from Visma-Lease a Bike has claimed the fifteenth stage of the Vuelta a España, securing his second victory in this edition of the race, following his success at Loja. For Van Aert, this marks his fifth win at the Vuelta, considering the three victories he achieved in 2024.

A special success, because it came precisely in the city where he had already triumphed two years ago. A curious coincidence that the Belgian decided to comment on with his usual smile.

«It's a very, very different victory from the one two years ago and I think that after today's success I won't return anymore - Van Aert said smiling after the finish line - So I won't risk this statistic. Maybe I'll come back here on vacation».

The reference is naturally to his perfect record in Córdoba. Two participations, two victories: a perfect statistic that Van Aert apparently prefers not to put to the test again with another race.

But today's success didn't come by chance. Visma-Lease a Bike built a perfect day, controlling the race for much of the stage and then choosing the right moment to surprise their opponents.

When approximately 30 kilometers remained to the finish, the race changed suddenly. The peloton split and a group formed at the front that would then fight for victory.

Van Aert had sensed that this could be the right moment. «We tried to surprise the group. We controlled the race all day and still had teammates who were feeling good and could help us; however, I knew that nobody would expect an attack from us».

A perfectly calculated tactical choice, made even more effective by the presence of Matthew Brennan behind him. «I sensed the right moment at the intermediate sprint and, with Matthew behind me, there was no risk, since we still had a good card to play in the group. It's exactly the way I love to race».

Visma-Lease a Bike therefore had two possibilities: Van Aert in front and Brennan ready to play his own cards behind him. An ideal situation for a team that, in this Vuelta, seems to almost always transform its strategies into results.

In the final kilometers, however, nothing was certain. The group of breakaway riders began to control each other, with continuous attacks and counterattacks. Nobody wanted to waste energy unnecessarily, but at the same time everyone was looking for the right moment to surprise their opponents.

«It was tough. My breakaway companions were very strong and helped me a lot, particularly Romele from Astana; however, I think Leknessund played it a bit by waiting for his teammate who was trying to catch up from behind, so we expected an attack from him».

Van Aert therefore chose not to be caught off guard. «But they attacked rather late, so in the final kilometers I just tried to keep the group together and make sure we reached the sprint».

And in the sprint, the Belgian once again showed his experience and power. After a day in which he had raced as a true team player, Van Aert found the energy to deliver the final blow and secure a victory that further enriches his palmares.

Behind him, Alessandro Romele claimed a splendid second place, while the other protagonists of the breakaway had to surrender to the final sprint. The success in Córdoba closes the second week of the Vuelta in the best possible way for Visma-Lease a Bike.

The Dutch team has indeed reached five stage victories, thanks to two from Van Aert and three conquered by the very young Matthew Brennan. To this tally is added the green jersey of the Flemish rider, making the team's overall balance particularly positive.

Van Aert doesn't hide his satisfaction with the teamwork. «It's fantastic. Yes, in most of the stages where we thought we could win, we really did; it's an impressive result».

The Belgian then wanted to emphasize especially the team's performance in the Córdoba stage. «And then, the way we controlled the race as a team today is something we should really be proud of; I must once again be very grateful to my teammates for the work they did».

Five victories in fifteen stages tell the story of a Vuelta in which Visma has managed to be protagonists practically every time a favorable opportunity presented itself. And above all, they tell the story of a team capable of distributing its forces: Van Aert, Brennan and the other members of the group found space and responsibility, transforming collective work into a long series of successes.

But the Vuelta is not yet finished. After the rest day, the final week will arrive, the one in which accumulated fatigue could completely change the balance. Van Aert, however, for now prefers to enjoy the victory. «Now we enjoy the rest day and then we start again for the final week which will be very demanding».