Vuelta a Espana: Sam Bennett takes back-to-back wins in gruelling sprint finish

The sprinters have had another luxurious opportunity to succeed in Breda, and in a long sprint it was Sam Bennett who took his second consecutive win at the Vuelta a Espana.

Jan Bakelants (Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux), Thomas de Gendt (Lotto Soudal), José Herrada (Cofidis), Mikel Iturria (Euskaltel - Euskadi), Julius van den Berg (EF Education-EasyPost), Pau Miquel (Equipo Kern Pharma) and Ander Okamika (Burgos-BH) took the risk early on to make it into the day's breakaway.

The last survivors of the break were caught with 11 kilometers to go as the fast-moving peloton was entering it's most tense section. The final kilometers saw the traditional fight for positioning with Jumbo-Visma the only team to have a clear presence in the head of the peloton to protect Primoz Roglic, as the sprinter teams looked to have their timing nailed to perfection.

UAE Team Emirates had their leadout strong, however Pascal Ackermann had to launch his sprint very early. As BORA launched the move from the opposite side of the road, it was Dan McLay who went head to head with Bennett for a long sprint. The Irishman ended up having the most speed, taking a second consecutive and strong win. He beat Mads Pedersen and Dan McLay in the sprint, whilst Edoardo Affini rode into the red jersey.