MADRID, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Matthew Brennan claimed his fourth stage victory of the Vuelta a Espana on Tuesday, winning a sprint finish in Palos de la Frontera after another expertly executed lead-out from Visma-Lease a Bike teammate Wout van Aert.
The 21-year-old Briton was sheltered from the wind by Van Aert before launching his sprint in the final 200 meters to take another convincing victory. Van Aert has also won two stages in this year's race, in Lorca and Cordoba.
The 181.1-kilometer route from Cortegana to Palos de la Frontera, following Monday's rest day, was tougher than it appeared on paper. Although it featured no categorized climbs, riders still faced 2,250 meters of ascent and the threat of crosswinds splitting the peloton in the closing kilometers.
A five-man breakaway established a lead of two minutes and 45 seconds, but Visma-Lease a Bike controlled the chase and gradually reduced the gap. The break was caught with 23.5 kilometers remaining, setting up another opportunity for Brennan.
Van Aert delivered his teammate into position, and Brennan finished the job to underline his dominance of the race's sprint stages.
The pair will have another opportunity Wednesday on the flat, 185-kilometer stage from Dos Hermanas to Seville. The route is unlikely to threaten Movistar rider Artur Mas' overall lead of two minutes and six seconds over Felix Gall. ■
