Juan Sebastian Morano (UAE Team Emirates) thought his unexpected victory in the final bunch sprint stage of the Vuelta a España on Sunday was the best way to stop rival Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) from winning He explained.

Morano's normal job in a group sprint is to lead his teammate Pascal Ackermann.

And on Sunday, as the pack made its final dash, the German was seen waiting for Morano to swing over, but his wait was in vain.

Instead, Morano stayed in front of Ackermann and shadowed Pedersen, who won three stages in this year's Vuelta, to the line. Ackermann, meanwhile, settled for third place.

"I'm always the guy at the front," the 27-year-old Morano said after his first Grand Tour stage win, "I did my job today."

"But I had good legs today, and in the last 100 meters I saw Pedersen going to the line fast. So I decided not to stop."

"I was just trying to keep going," he said.

Morano, who has won a string of lesser races in his career as well as the 2018 Pan American title, claimed that his second Vuelta stage win of the year for the UAE was "the biggest win of my career." But he also said he "didn't think I had a shot at winning."

Asked if he spoke with Ackermann after the stage, Morano said, "He is as happy as if he had won. He is a great man, a great professional.

"I had great legs today, but I couldn't shake him off with 100 meters to go. So I dedicate this win to him and his team."