Nacer Bouhani of FDJ took victory on stage eight of the Vuelta A Espana.
A 207km stage from Baeza to Albacete.started with Elia Favilli (Lampre-Merida) and Francisco Javier Aramendia of Caja Rural who had taken a six minute lead within the first twenty five kilometres.
On a stage of no climbs, the sun was hding behind hazy cloud and it was Favilli who took the first sprint which was now 3.58 clear of the peloton that included race leader Alejandro Valverde and Chris Froome in the combined leaders jersey which should have been worn by Valverde who was in the red leader's jersey.
The duo were still clear with a lead of 2.05 with 57kms left but the peloton had had enough of them and with forty kilometres remaining they were caught.
Team Sky took to the front with Phillip Deignan and British Road Race Champion Peter Kennaugh taking long turns on the front.
The cross winds got up and this caused a split in the peloton as echelon's formed.
The front group which consisted of about fifty riders had a lead of 21 seconds on the second group and 37 seconds on the third with 23kms left.
The second group which contained the likes of Nairo Quintana and Dan Martin and they got to within ten seconds of the group.
Into the final turn with 800ms left, Michael Matthews of Orica Green Edge was leading with Peter Sagan and Alberto Contador in his wheel.
Nacer Bouhani went early with his sprint and he was not to be caught and the Frenchman took the stage win in 4:29:00, beating Michael Matthews, Peter Sagan, John Degenkolb and Greg Henderson.
Valverde keeps his lead in the race for another day.