British sprinter Ethan Vernon won a mass sprint on the Volta a Catalunya on Tuesday, followed over the line in Figueres by teenage compatriot Matthew Brennan.

After a 4-hour and 16-minute, 177km run from Banyoles that included two mountain climbs, the peloton remained mostly grouped as it raced toward the finish line at speeds reaching 70km/h.

Israel–Premier Tech’s Vernon had been dropped in the mountains but remained calm and worked his way back into contention.

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The runner-up finish means Visma rider Brennan, just 19 years old, retains the overall lead by 6 seconds over Australian Kaden Groves.

The seven-day Volta a Catalunya will be decided over three key mountain stages on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Home favorite Juan Ayuso of UAE Team Emirates remains a major contender following his Tirreno-Adriatico triumph in Italy. He sat fifth overall on Tuesday, 13 seconds behind Brennan.

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In the absence of defending champion Tadej Pogacar, other 2024 podium finishers—Spain’s Mikel Landa and Colombian former Tour de France winner Egan Bernal—could also contend.

Wednesday’s 218km stage from Viladecans features a mountain-top finish at La Molina.

Top climbers such as Primoz Roglic, twins Simon and Adam Yates, Richard Carapaz, and Enric Mas are all competing, using the race to prepare for the Tour de France.