Philipsen wins stage eight as Traeen retains Vuelta lead

Belgium's Jasper Philipsen claimed his second stage victory of this year's Vuelta a Espana on stage eight.

The Alpecin–Deceuninck rider edged out Italy's Elia Viviani (Lotto) and Ethan Vernon (Israel-Premier Tech) of Great Britain in a photo finish on the 163.5km stage from Monzon Templario to Zaragoza.

"I had to find my way, take a bit of extra wind, and really come late because my legs were concrete," said Philipsen.

"But I just managed to win so I'm really happy, and the effort of the team has not been for nothing.

"Every Grand Tour win is always a special one, and it's never easy. You suffer a lot of days in the mountains to get here. From now on it's going to be a tough Vuelta, but with the win, that always makes it a bit more easy."

General classification leader Torstein Traeen (Bahrain Victorious) retained the red jersey and remains two minutes 33 seconds ahead of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) with 13 stages to go.

Sunday's stage is a 195km hilly ride from Alfaro to Valdezcaray.

1. Jasper Philipsen (BEL/Alpecin -Deceuninck) 3hrs 4mins 48secs

2. Elia Viviani (ITA/Lotto) same time

3. Ethan Vernon (GBR/Israel-Premier Tech) same time

4. Arne Marit (BEL/Intermarche-Wanty) same time

5. Anders Foldager (DEN/Team Jayco AlUla) same time

6. Bryan Coquard (FRA/Cofidis) same time

7. Madis Mihkels (EST/EF Education - EasyPost) same time

8. Thibaud Gruel (FRA/Groupama - FDJ) same time

9. Fabio Christen (SUI/Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) same time

10. Ben Turner (GBR/INEOS Grenadiers) same time

1. Torstein Traeen (NOR/ Bahrain Victorious) 29hrs 1min 50secs

2. Jonas Vingegaard (DEN/ Team Visma-Lease a Bike) +2mins 33secs

3. Joao Almeida (POR/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +2mins 41secs

4. Giulio Ciccone (ITA/Lidl-Trek) +2mins 42secs

5. Lorenzo Fortunato (ITA/XDS Astana Team) +2mins 47secs

6. Matteo Jorgenson (USA/Team Visma-Lease a Bike) +2mins 49secs

7. Jai Hindley (AUS/Red Bull-BORA hansgrohe) +2mins 53secs

8. Giulio Pellizzari (ITA/Red Bull - BORA hansgrohe) same time

9. Egan Bernal (COL/INEOS Grenadiers) +2mins 55secs

10. Felix Gall (AUT/Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) +2mins 58secs