Enlarge image
Mads Pedersen sprints to victory in front – Primož Roglič is behind
Photo:
Angel Fernandez/AP
Primož Roglič fell on the home stretch of the 16th stage of the Vuelta.
The winner of the last three tours of Spain still had a small chance of winning the day after an attack before he collided with Britain's Fred Wright shortly before the finish.
The Slovenian then dragged himself to the finish, bleeding from his right arm and leg.
The Danish ex-world champion Mads Pedersen won after 189.4 kilometers from Sanlúcar de Barrameda to Tomares.
Pascal Ackermann again just missed his first day's win at the 77th Tour of Spain.
The 28-year-old from Palatinate finished second in the finish sprint.
Ackermann got on the back wheel of the Slovenian about 2.5 kilometers after an attack by the Slovenian title defender Roglič.
However, both were caught by Pedersen, third-placed Danny van Poppel (Netherlands) and Fred Wright.
“Roglič made the perfect attack.
I waited too long on the last climb and then couldn't stay on the rear wheel.
Mads was just too strong today," said Ackermann: "I really wanted to win today, now I still have a chance in Madrid."
Evenepoel further ahead despite the defect
There were only small changes at the top of the overall standings a day after the third rest day, despite the turbulence in the finale, although Belgian overall leader Remco Evenepoel broke down shortly after Roglič's attack and had to change his bike.
But due to the three-kilometer rule, the 22-year-old Belgian was classified at the same time as the peloton and now leads 1:26 minutes ahead of Roglič.
On Wednesday, the last of the three major national tours will enter the decisive phase for overall victory.
After 152.6 kilometers, the 17th stage of the day ends with a mountain finish at 1095 meters on the Monasterio de Tentudia.
The race ends next Sunday in Spain's capital, Madrid.
kjo/dpa