In the battle for the overall title, Enric Mas remains the man in control. The Spaniard gained more time on Primož Roglič and Felix Gall and extended his lead, while there was also positive news regarding Tadej Pogačar following his heavy crash.
Omrzel triumphs at Calar Alto
Stage 12 covered 166.6 kilometres from Vera to Calar Alto and featured several difficult climbs. A large breakaway shaped much of the day, with Jakob Omrzel among the riders who made the move.
Around 12 kilometres from the finish, the Slovenian broke clear of his final companions and continued alone. Omrzel eventually reached the line 1:56 minutes ahead of Urko Berrade, with Santiago Buitrago finishing third.
It was Omrzel’s first stage victory in a Grand Tour. At 20 years, five months and 13 days, he is also now the youngest Slovenian ever to win a stage at one of cycling’s three Grand Tours – the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France or Vuelta a España. In doing so, he surpassed the previous Slovenian record held by Tadej Pogačar. The last younger Grand Tour stage winner came at the 1981 Vuelta, when Spain’s Celestino Prieto won stage four at the age of 20 years, two months and 27 days.
His progress has not come entirely out of the blue. Omrzel won the Giro Next Gen in 2025 and now rides for Bahrain Victorious. At his first Vuelta, several successful breakaway appearances have also lifted him as high as sixth in the general classification.
Mas underlines his status as the favourite
Among the general classification contenders, Felix Gall was the first to go on the offensive on the final climb. Enric Mas and Primož Roglič, however, were able to stay with the Austrian. Shortly afterwards, Mas launched the decisive attack of his own. Gall and Roglič had no response, allowing the race leader to gain another 27 seconds on his two main rivals by the finish.
Mas now leads Roglič by 1:45 minutes and Gall by 2:06. Richard Carapaz is already 3:53 behind, while Oscar Onley follows at 4:29. Since Pogačar’s withdrawal, Mas has repeatedly extended his advantage on the toughest stages and has looked the strongest of the remaining general classification contenders against Roglič and Gall.
Gall remains on course for the podium
Although Felix Gall lost more time to Mas on stage 12, his overall position remains strong. The Austrian is still third and trails Roglič by only 21 seconds.
His team also produced a strong performance. Matthew Riccitello, Callum Scotson and Gregor Mühlberger were able to support Gall deep into the stage before he took the initiative himself. Mas, however, once again proved stronger at the decisive moment.
Gall has also opened up a slightly more comfortable gap behind him, with Carapaz now 1:47 down. Today brings another demanding day with the 192.8-kilometre medium-mountain stage from Almuñécar to Loja. On Saturday, the summit finish at Sierra de La Pandera provides the next major opportunity for changes in the general classification.
Pogačar leaves hospital
There was also positive news away from the race. Tadej Pogačar has been able to leave hospital in Barcelona following his serious crash on stage eight and is now expected to continue his rehabilitation at home in Monaco.
The Slovenian successfully underwent surgery on Monday for a complicated fracture of his left collarbone. He also suffered a stable fracture of the seventh cervical vertebra, a concussion and several abrasions in the crash.
There is still no specific date for his return to training or racing. Given the severity of his injuries, an appearance at the World Championships at the end of September currently appears highly unlikely.
