We picked out Giant-Shimano’s John Degenkolb in both our Riders to Watch and our Vuelta preview podcast as a real contender for the sprints and we were right! Just to prove our point (and celebrate the greatness that is Degenkolb), here is the finale of Vuelta’s stage 5 with his winning sprint.

(Pressed for time? Fast forward to 9.00 for the last 1.5km – they’re going like bats out of …)