Czech rider Pavel Bittner beat Wout van Aert in a photo finish to win stage five of the Vuelta a Espana in Seville.

DSM-Firmenich-PostNL’s Bittner reeled in Van Aert after the Belgian launched his sprint early before edging him on the line, with Australia’s Kaden Groves in third.

It is 21-year-old Bittner’s first victory at one of cycling’s three Grand Tours.

Primoz Roglic retained the race leader’s red jersey comfortably by finishing in the main bunch at the end of the 177km flat route from Fuente del Maestre.

Van Aert had looked set for his second stage win of this year’s race but, despite missing out, he retains the green points jersey.

Thursday’s stage six is a 185.5km mountainous route from Jerez de la Frontera to Yunquera.