Vuelta 2024: Sprint triumph Groves in Santander, OConnor still in red

Vuelta 2024: Sprint triumph Groves in Santander, O’Connor still in red

foto: Cor VosDespite a late attack by Mauro Schmid, Max Poole, and Victor Campenaerts, stage 17 ends in a sprint. Kaden Groves takes the win ahead of Pavel Bittner and Vito Braet, while Ben O'Connor retains the lead in the general classification (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 17th stage 2024 Vuelta

1. Kaden Groves (aus)
2. Pavel Bittner (cze) s.t.
3. Vito Braet (bel) s.t.
4. Pau Miquel (spa) s.t.
5. Corbin Strong (nzl) s.t.
6. Victor Campanaerts (bel) s.t.
7. Edward Planckaert (bel) s.t.
8. Mathis Le Berre (fra) s.t.
9. Arens Livyns (bel) s.t.
10. Xabier Berasategi (spa) s.t.

GC after stage 17
1. Ben O’Connor (aus)
2. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 0.05
3. Enric Mas (spa) + 1.25
4. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 1.46
5. Mikel Landa (spa) + 2.18
6. David Gaudu (fra) + 3.48
7. Carlos Rodriguez (spa) + 3.53
8. Mattias Skjelmose (den) + 4.00
9. Florian Lipowitz (ger) + 4.27
10. Pavel Sivakov (fra) + 5.19

Race report
Jonas Gregaard, Thomas Champion, Xabier Isasa, and Thibault Guernalec attack early on. The peloton keeps chasing for a while, but the gap eventually extends to 5 minutes.

Champion is dropped from the lead group within the last 15 kilometres.

With Max Poole on his wheel, Mauro Schmid jumps to the other attackers with 2.4 kilometres remaining. Victor Campenaerts powers across to the two, but the late attack does not pay off.

The three are caught and Kaden Groves sprints to triumph.

The GC remains unchanged, with Ben O’Connor in the red jersey.

Another interesting read: route 17th stage 2024 Vuelta a España.