Cycling-Bitter edges Van Aert to win Vuelta fifth stage

(Reuters) – Czech rider Pavel Bittner beat Wout van Aert in a photo finish at the end of stage five of the Vuelta a Espana on Wednesday.

Van Aert looked set to claim his second stage of this year’s race in a fast finish in Seville but the 21-year-old Bittner (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL) edged out the Belgian on the line.

It was Bittner’s first career win at a Grand Tour.

Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) retained the points green jersey although he will rue a missed opportunity. Australia’s Kaden Groves finished in third place.

Primoz Roglic retained the overall lead after finishing safely in the peloton.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; editing by Clare Fallon)