Magnus Cort Nielsen won a sprint finish at the end of the 16th stage of the Vuelta a España as race leader Primoz Roglic claimed some precious bonus seconds.
Denmark’s Cort Nielsen continued a strong race for the EF Education team with a powerful burst in the final 100 metres of the 162km ride from Salamanca to Ciudad Rodrigo. Roglic (Jumbo Visma) finished second to claim six seconds, stretching his lead over Richard Carapaz.
There was heartbreak for France’s Remi Cavagna (Deceuninck-Quick Step), who looked like he might solo his way to victory after spending all day in the breakaway. But he was caught in the final 4km as the peloton wound up the pace to set up a battle that Nielsen edged.
Roglic has a 45-second lead over Carapaz and 53 seconds on Hugh Carthy going into Saturday’s brutal mountainous stage before the ceremonial finale in Madrid.