After finishing 4th in the first bunch sprint on stage 3 of the Vuelta a Andalucia, Nikias Arndt got even closer in the final stage. Having stayed aware in the technical finish, he made the selection when Topsport Vlaanderen split the field but had to settle for seconds behind Moreno Hofland (Belkin).

It was a display of strength from Team Giant-Shimano on the final stage of the Ruta del Sol which finished with Nikias Arndt crossing the line in second.

The race concluded with a bunch finish after a tight twisty city centre finish which needed a cool head and concentration to stay at the front of the peloton. Arndt stayed calm and hit out in the final few hundred metres from a small group that had pulled a few lengths clear of the bunch and was only passed by Moreno Hofland (Belkin) before the line.

The stage was mainly dominated by Tom Dumoulin, making the day’s break of nine riders before attacking in the final 30km. Dumoulin got into time trial mode and held a solid gap until the final 10km when it quickly tumbled before he was swallowed up in the final five kilometres.

“It’s nice to finish here with a result but you are never happy with a second place,” said a slightly disappointed Arndt. “Tom did a great job out front all day meaning that the guys didn’t have to do any chasing before the end.

“It was quite tough and technical at the end and we only had two guys to lead me out but Simon (Geschke) dropped me off in a perfect position with one kilometre to go and from there it was up to me. At the end Moreno was just quicker.

“I’ve been riding the Giant Propel out here and it’s a great bike. On the descents today you can really feel that it just takes you where you want to go and when you put the power down you go quick. I can’t wait for the next race now.”

Coach, Christian Guiberteau praised Dumoulin's break.

“Tom rode well and forced the break on the first climb of the day. He enjoyed himself out there and you have to try these things even if nine times out of ten it doesn’t work. Unfortunately the final descent favoured the bunch as it wasn’t very technical. It was a strong effort.

“Then at the end, even though we were short of numbers after Daan (Olivier) did not start following his crash yesterday, Tom Veelers and Simon got Nikias in a good position. He did a good sprint but it wasn’t to be today.”