Van Aert claims second Vuelta stage win in three days

Van Aert outpaced his rivals in the closing kilometres of the shortened fifteenth stage to secure his second win in three stages at the Vuelta a Espana. The Belgian cyclist prevailed in a tightly contested sprint finish involving five riders as the peloton converged on Cordoba.

The stage reduction did not diminish the competitive intensity of the day's racing, with the leading contenders maintaining their focus on the shortened route. Van Aert's form throughout the opening two weeks of the Spanish Grand Tour has been consistently strong, with his multiple stage victories positioning him as a key performer in the sprints.

The 28-year-old's success in Cordoba extends his winning streak at this year's Vuelta and underscores his continued dominance in the sprint finishes. As the race progresses through its middle stages, van Aert remains a formidable force in the daily battles for stage honours.

The Vuelta a Espana, one of cycling's three Grand Tours, continues to attract elite-level competition across its three-week campaign through Spain. Van Aert's performances so far this year have reinforced his status as one of the sport's most versatile and accomplished stage racers.