The Belgian, who rides for the Etixx–Quick-Step team, has already enjoyed a successful start to the Grand Tour race and maintained his impressive form by finishing the 171.3 kilometres flat stage in 4hr 16min 42sec.

The sprint stage was marred by a number of crashes, with one involving LottoNL–Jumbo’s Steven Kruijswijk, which could mark an end to the Dutchman’s Vuelta campaign.

He was seen as being treated at the side of the road amid a chaotic finale to the stage, where race leader Darwin Atapuma of Colombia had originally lost time.

Several riders in the peloton were caught up in the second crash, comprised of around 20 cyclists, which occurred with just one kilometre to go, with Atapuma one of the main victims.

The three kilometre rule was applied, however, meaning he retained the race lead.

Under the ruling, those involved in a crash which happens three kilometres from the end are given the same time as the lead group, ensuring they do not lose ground.

Britain’s Chris Froome, winner of the bronze medal in the road race at the recent Rio 2016 Olympic Games, endured a narrow escape as he nearly tumbled to the tarmac during the incident.

Meersman survived the carnage which ensued as the stage neared its climax, crossing the line in front of Italy’s Fabio Feline, a member of the Trek-Segafredo team.

FDJ rider Kévin Reza of France was able to hang on for third ahead of Spain’s Luis Leon Sanchez, who rides for the Astana Pro Team.

Team Sky’s Froome was locked in the sprint finish battle with the Belgian, along with Movistar’s Alejandro Valverde of Spain, but neither could catch Meersman, who surged up the final climb to bag another stage success.

Meersman also triumphed in stage two of the race.

The sixth stage comprises of a 163.2km journey from Monforte de Lemos to Luintra, which is expected to favour the climbers.