Tanel Kangert didn't take the start of today's stage of the Vuelta a Espana. Having suffered from stomach problems, the Estonian hopes to be back in competition at the Worlds.

“It was the only choice to make," Tanel Kangert said after having abandoned the Vuelta a Espaana. "I will try to come back for World Championships, but I need a couple of days before I know if that’s possible."

The Estonian rider withdrew from competition after more than a week of digestive trouble at the end of a long season.

Jacopo Guarnieri sprinted to finish with the leaders on a fast, flat day in northwestern Spain – the first day back from a rest day. The breakaway riders organized quickly and set a high tempo, causing the peloton to work with great effort to capture the escapees before the expected mass sprint at the finish.

Fabio Aru remained protected in his fifth overall on General Classification, with mountains again on Thursday and Saturday before a short individual time trial in Santiago de Compostela on Sunday.