Groves takes third win of 2024 Vuelta on stage 17

Australian cyclist Kaden Groves celebrates on the podium after winning stage 17 of the 2024 Vuelta a EspanaGetty Images

Kaden Groves has a lead of 116 points over Pavel Bittner in the green jersey classification

Australia's Kaden Groves sprinted to his third victory of this year's Vuelta a Espana on stage 17 in Santander.

Ben O'Connor maintained his five-second advantage over Primoz Roglic in the leader's red jersey as they finished safely together in the bunch.

But it was a nervous day for the peloton in the rain as they were only able to catch the breakaway inside the final three kilometres of the 141.5km stage from Arnuero.

Several riders made late attacks until Groves' Alpecin-Deceuninck team hit the front with 200 metres remaining.

Groves kicked clear of Pavel Bittner in second, with Vito Braet third, as he claimed victory in the green points classification jersey he inherited after Wout van Aert had to abandon the race following a crash on stage 16.

"It was my last opportunity to win in this race and I had such a motivated team to control the breakaway," said Groves, who also won stages two and 14.

"To repay them with win number three is pretty special."

Thursday's stage 18 from Vitoria-Gasteiz to Maeztu is a 179.5km undulating route that could provide an opportunity for the breakaway to succeed.

Stage 17 results

  1. Kaden Groves (Aus/Alpecin–Deceuninck) 3hrs 32mins 14secs

  2. Pavel Bittner (Cze/Team dsm–firmenich PostNL)

  3. Vito Braet (Bel/Intermarche–Wanty

  4. Pau Miquel (Spa/Equipo Kern Pharma)

  5. Corbin Strong (NZ/Israel–Premier Tech)

  6. Victor Campenaerts (Bel/Lotto–Dstny)

  7. Edward Planckaert (Bel/Alpecin–Deceuninck)

  8. Mathis Le Berre (Fra/Arkea–B&B Hotels)

  9. Arjen Livyns (Bel/Lotto–Dstny )

  10. Xabier Berasategi (Spa/Equipo Kern Pharma)

General classification after stage 17

  1. Ben O'Connor (Aus/Decathlon-AG2R-La Mondiale) 68hrs 41mins 14secs

  2. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Red Bull - Bora-Hansgrohe) +5secs

  3. Enrique Mas (Spa/Movistar) +1min 25secs

  4. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/EF Education-EasyPost) +1min 46secs

  5. Mikel Landa (Spa/Soudal - Quick-Step) +2mins 18secs

  6. David Gaudu (Fra/Groupama - FDJ) +3mins 48secs

  7. Carlos Rodriguez (Spa/Ineos Grenadiers) +3mins 53secs

  8. Mattias Skjelmose (Den/Lidl trek) +4mins

  9. Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull - Bora-Hansgrohe) +4mins 27secs

  10. Pavel Sivakov (Fra/UAE Team Emirates) +5mins 19secs

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