Nacer Bouhanni missed out on a second stage win in the Vuelta a Espana when he was narrowly beaten by John Degenkolb in stage 5. However, the Frenchman is convinced that the German sprinted irregularly and insists that he should have been disqualified.

Nacer Bouhanni was clearly annoyed when he rolled across the line in second at the end of stage 5 of the Vuelta a Espana. The Frenchman complained to the race jury about stage winner John Degenkolb who had closed him towards the barrier in the finale.

Bouhanni's complaint was dismissed but that hasn't dampened his anger.

“Two years ago I’ve been disqualified from a stage win at the Tour of Picardy for less than that," he said. "Degenkolb closed me in three times. When I told him after the finish that it wasn’t correct, he said I should have gone on the other side. I’m not happy because he should have been disqualified.”

President of the commissaires' panel Jean-Michel Voets defended his decision.

“We’ve looked at the tv images three times," he said. "Degenkolb hasn’t contravened the rules. He kept his line but Bouhanni tried to pass where it was impossible. There’s no reason for changing the result.”