Vuelta: Groves wins first sprint finish - Evenepoel stays in front

Australian Kaden Groves has won the first sprint finish of the 78th Tour of Spain. The 24-year-old professional cyclist took victory in a bunch sprint after 184.6 kilometres from Andorra to Tarragona, ahead of the Colombian Juan Sebastian Molano and the Belgian Edward Theuns. German riders played no part in the decision.

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Everything remains the same in the overall standings. The Belgian time trial world champion and last year's winner Remco Evenepoel, who won the mountain arrival in Andorra-Arinsal the day before, is still five seconds ahead of the Spaniard Enric Mas. The Danish Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard is 31 seconds back in fourth place.

Meanwhile, Evenepoel emphasised that his fall in the finish area the day before was not too bad. The injuries - the young star had suffered a laceration to his head - were superficial. "Shit happens. I was lucky," said Evenepoel, who collided with a journalist after crossing the finish line in Andorra.

Police apparently prevented an act of sabotage

Meanwhile, the Spanish police have apparently prevented an act of sabotage. According to the authorities, plans to sabotage the cycling race with oil on the road on a section of the third stage through Catalonia were thwarted. Officers arrested four people when they placed two large barrels containing a total of around 400 litres of an oil-like substance above a section of the route on Saturday, according to a statement. It was not ruled out that they could be supporters of the Catalan separatist movement. The possible motive of those arrested was not initially disclosed.

Barrels camouflaged with vegetation

The barrels camouflaged with vegetation were connected to a hose in the Solsonès region, halfway between Barcelona and Andorra, through which the oil was to be released onto the carriageway. They were supposed to be released using an electrically controlled valve connected to a timer.

On Wednesday the Vuelta will start with of the fifth stage continued over 186.5 kilometres from Morella to Burriana. The route covers undulating terrain with a second category climb, which has to be tackled 50 kilometres before the finish.

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