Czech Bittner pips Van Aert in sprint to win Vuelta stage five
Czech rider Pavel Bittner beat Wout van Aert in a photo finish to win stage five of the Vuelta a Espana in Seville.
DSM-Firmenich-PostNL's Bittner reeled in Van Aert after the Belgian launched his sprint early before edging him on the line, with Australia's Kaden Groves in third.
It is 21-year-old Bittner's first victory at one of cycling's three Grand Tours.
Primoz Roglic retained the race leader's red jersey comfortably by finishing in the main bunch at the end of the 177km flat route from Fuente del Maestre.
Van Aert had looked set for his second stage win of this year's race but, despite missing out, he retains the green points jersey.
Thursday's stage six is a 185.5km mountainous route from Jerez de la Frontera to Yunquera mountain top finish.
Notably, this stage starts in a Carrefour supermarket!
VIDEO: 2024 La Vuelta Stage Five Highlights
2024 La Vuelta Stage five results
1- Pavel Bittner (Cze/DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) 4hrs 25mins 28sec
2- Wout van Aert (Bel/Team Visma) Same time
3- Kaden Groves (Aus/Alpecin-Deceuninck)
4- Bryan Coquard (Fra/Cofidis)
5- Stefan Kung (Sui/Groupama-FDJ)
6- Corbin Strong (NZ/Israel-Premier Tech)
7- Jhonatan Narvaez (Ecu/Ineos-Grenadiers)
8- Arne Marit (Bel/Intermarche-Wanty)
9- Gianmarco Garofoli (Ita/Astana-Qazaqstan)
10- Antonio Soto (Spa/Equipo Kern Pharma)
2024 La Vuelta General classification after Stage 5
1- Primoz Roglic (Slo/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) 18hrs 58mins 36secs
2- Joao Almeida (Por/UAE Team Emirates) +8secs
3- Enric Mas (Spa/Movistar) +32secs
4- Antonio Tiberi (Ita/Bahrain Victorious) +38secs
5- Lennert van Eetvelt (Bel/Lotto Dstny) +41secs
6- Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) +47secs
7- Brandon McNulty (US/UAE Team Emirates) +50secs
8- Mattias Skjelmose (Den/Lidl-Trek) +58secs
9- Mikel Landa (Spa/Soudal-Quick-Step) Same time
10- Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +1min