\n<\/p>\n
Wout van Aert claimed his third victory at the Vuelta a Espana after being in a long-range breakaway on stage 10. <\/b><\/p>\n
The Belgian Visma-Lease a Bike rider was part of an early group to escape the peloton just over 30km into the 160km run from Ponteareas to Baiona.<\/p>\n
And he surged away from France’s Quentin Pacher at the finish, the two having gone clear just before the final climb of the day on the Alto de Mougas.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“I have a versatile profile and when I end up in a situation like this, I always have a chance.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n