Crashes, splits and punctures have prevented Jens Debusschere from shining in this year's Vuelta a Espana sprints but today he shone in unusual terrain when he finished in the second group in the tough stage 13. The Belgian was pleased with his showing in a stage that he admitted had been a bit too hard for him.

Jens Debusschere went into the Vuelta a Espana hoping to winning a bunch sprint but the Belgian has had no luck in the first part of the race. Wind, crashes and punctures mean that he has had virtually no chance to sprint yet and now his options are running out.

Today he grabbed his chance when it was least expected when he mixed it up with the GC riders in stage 13, finishing in the second group just 20 seconds behind winner Daniel Navarro.

“In the end there weren’t many sprinters left, Bouhanni and myself, but it was a bit too hard for me," he said. "I don’t have many favorable circumstances at the Vuelta. I’ve had flat tyres and crashes like on Thursday in Logroño. I have good legs but it’s not enough. It’s frustrating. I really hope to have a chance to sprint on Wednesday at La Coruña…”