Van Aert claims third stage Victory at La Vuelta

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 breakaway just over 30km into the 160km run from Ponteareas to Baiona.

He surged away from France's Quentin Pacher at the finish, the two having gone clear from the rest of the break 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.

Stage 10 Top 10

1  VAN AERT Wout Team Visma | Lease a Bike 3:50:47
2  PACHER Quentin Groupama - FDJ 0:03
3  SOLER Marc UAE Team Emirates 2:01
4  LECERF William Junior Soudal Quick-Step 2:01
5  HOLLMANN Juri Alpecin - Deceuninck 2:01
6  JUARISTI Txomin Euskaltel - Euskadi 5:13
7  NARVÁEZ Jhonatan INEOS Grenadiers 5:31
8  KÜNG Stefan Groupama - FDJ 5:31
9  BENNETT George Israel - Premier Tech 5:31
10  TEJADA Harold Astana Qazaqstan Team 5:31

GC after stage 10

1  O'CONNOR Ben Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team 40:05:54
2  ROGLIC Primož Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe 3:53
3  CARAPAZ Richard EF Education - EasyPost 4:32
4  MAS Enric Movistar Team 4:35
5  LANDA Mikel Soudal Quick-Step 5:17
6  LIPOWITZ Florian Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe 5:29
7  YATES Adam UAE Team Emirates 5:30
8  GALL Felix Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team ,,
9  RODRÍGUEZ Carlos INEOS Grenadiers 6:00
10  GAUDU David Groupama - FDJ 6:32