The National Times - Leknessund breaks away to win emotional Vuelta stage seven

At the end of the mountainous 149.8km slog from Vall d'Alba, Leknessund finished 31 seconds ahead of compatriot Tobias Johannessen, a team-mate with the Norwegian Uno X team.

Both men sported black arm bands in memory of King Harald, who died earlier on Friday aged 89.

"It's a small thing in the bigger picture," said Leknessund. "But it's special."

Belgian Wout van Aert was third.

Overall leader Tadej Pogacar cruised home 4 minutes 23 seconds later with all his main rivals sitting on his rear wheel.

Leknessund and van Aert were part of a trio of riders who attacked from the start line. Both stayed in the leading group for the whole stage but on the last climb Leknessund found the strength to launch a final, decisive attack.

"It really hurt today," said Lenessund. "I didn't expect it to be this emotional."

It was his first stage victory in a major tour after four second-place finishes. It was also the first victory for Uno-X in the Vuelta and the first by a Norwegian since Thor Hushovd in 2025.

A.Wood--TNT