Vuelta: Groves misses third sprint success

Australian sprinter Kaden Groves missed out on his third victory at the 78th edition of the Vuelta.

In the bunch sprint after the 200.8 kilometres between Utiel and Oliva on the seventh stage, the professional cyclist crossed the finish line in fifth place at the Tour of Spain, while Frenchman Geoffrey Soupe took the stage win in a photo finish ahead of Orluis Aular from Venezuela and Belgian Edward Theuns. No German rider made it into the top ten.

As expected, nothing changed at the top of the overall standings. Frenchman Lenny Martinez is eight seconds ahead of Sepp Kuss, who crashed shortly before the finish but carried on. After losing the overall lead to last year's winner and time trial world champion Remco Evenepoel on the previous day, the Belgian maintained the gap of 2:47 minutes to the leader.

Serious crash involving 15 riders

About five kilometres before the finish, there was a serious crash involving 15 riders. Dutch rider Thymen Arensman was injured and had to be treated on the course. It was initially unclear how serious the injuries were.

On the eighth stage on Saturday, the pros can expect a challenging undulating profile with many metres of elevation gain between Dénia and the Xorret de Catí mountains. The 165 kilometres are likely to suit the mountain-hardy classics riders in particular.

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