Vuelta a Espana: Rui Costa times sprint perfectly to win stage 15 as Remco Evenepoel comes fourth

Team Intermarche Wanty's Portuguese rider Rui Costa celebrates winning the stage 15 of the 2023 La Vuelta

Rui Costa timed his sprint finish to perfection to claim a maiden Vuelta a Espana victory on stage 15.

The Intermarche-Circus-Wanty rider slowed the pace before accelerating across the line to beat Lennard Kamna and Santiago Buitrago.

Defending champion Remco Evenepoel came fourth as he continues his recovery after finishing 27 minutes off the pace on Friday’s climbs.

“I believed in myself,” said Portugal’s Costa.

After achieving a first Grand Tour win since 2013, he added: “Winning a stage of La Vuelta is very important for me and for the team. I’m very, very happy.”

Germany’s Kamna, of Bora-Hansgrohe, did well to finish second after overcoming a crash in the final three kilometres.

Evenepoel, who bounced back from a poor stage 14 with a superb win on Saturday, launched a breakaway with just over 80km left.

The Belgian ran out of steam with 15km remaining, but pushed hard late on to finish two seconds behind Costa.

However, he is 16 minutes behind race leader Sepp Kuss, who retains the leader’s red jersey ahead of Jumbo-Visma team mates Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard.

Monday is a rest day on the Vuelta, but the riders will return for Tuesday’s 120.5km ride from Liencres Playa to Bejes, which is mostly flat but ends with a steep climb.