Van Aert claims third Vuelta victory on stage 10

Wout van Aert claimed his third victory at the Vuelta a Espana after being in a long-range breakaway on stage 10.

The Belgian Visma-Lease a Bike rider was part of an early group to escape the peloton just over 30km into the 160km run from Ponteareas to Baiona.

And he surged away from France’s Quentin Pacher at the finish, the two having gone clear just before the final climb of the day on the Alto de Mougas.

“It was my aim to be in the breakaway,” he said. “I had a hard time to be honest on the first climb. I actually almost gave up.

“I have a versatile profile and when I end up in a situation like this, I always have a chance.”

Australia’s Ben O’Connor retained the overall lead on a relaxed day in the general classification race, with the main favourites all coming home together five-and-a-half minutes down on Van Aert.

On Wednesday, that battle is likely to reignite as the race travels 166.5km on rolling terrain containing short and steep climbs, that starts and finishes in the city of Padron.