LORCA, Spain (AP) — Matthew Brennan triumphed again in the Spanish Vuelta on Wednesday, becoming the first rider to win three stages in his first Grand Tour since Tadej Pogačar seven years ago.

Brennan secured his third victory in Wednesday’s 11th stage, a mostly flat route of 153.8 kilometers (96 miles) from Cartagena to Lorca.

“We took the initiative today again,” Brennan said. “The boys pulled as hard as they could even after a tough day in the legs yesterday. We still went full gas. Coming into the final, we really held our own place and knew that we were all strong enough to kind of get to where we want to be.”

The 21-year-old British rider of team Visma-Lease a Bike also won the second and fifth stages to become the youngest cyclist with multiple stage wins in the Vuelta since Pogačar’s three victories 2019.

“It’s massive (to have won three stages),” Brennan said. “I’m with a team full of massive champions. We’ve got guys who have podiumed in Grand Tours, and won them as well, and guys who’ve won classics and huge races. And the fact they go for me is an amazing opportunity. I’m really thankful that they go full gas for me.”

A sprinter had not claimed at least three victories in his maiden Grand Tour since Fernando Gaviria in the Giro d’Italia in 2017.

Pogačar also had already won three stages in this year’s Vuelta before a crash forced him to withdraw on Saturday while holding a big overall lead. He fractured his left collarbone and could not continue on his quest for a career sweep of the three Grand Tours.

Mas, from Movistar Team, took the overall lead from Pogačar and has kept it since. He is 1 minute, 18 seconds ahead of Primož Roglič, from team Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe. Roglic is chasing a record fifth Vuelta title.

On Thursday, riders will face a 12th stage featuring a tough mountain route in southern Spain. It includes a traditional double climb at Velefique and Calar Alto, marking an important day for the riders fighting for the general classification.

The three-week Vuelta finishes in Granada on Sept. 13.

___

See full AP coverage of European sports here