Mathias Frank gave IAM Cycling their fourth Grand Tour stage win in their final season ©Getty Images

Switzerland’s Mathias Frank climbed to a solo victory on stage 17 of the Vuelta a España as the general classification riders cancelled each other out to eventually finish together.

Racing resumed, following the rest day, with a tough 177 killometre route from Castellón to Llucena, which concluded with an ascent up the Alto Mas de la Costa.

A 27-man breakaway eventually developed after 50km of racing, despite several attempts by king of the mountains contenders to instigate a move.

With their advantage rising to more than seven minutes with 70km left of racing, the breakaway’s chances of success looked promising.

Frank opted to strike out as they reached the 30km to go mark, with the Swiss rider joined by Italy’s Dario Cataldo.

Despite his best efforts, Cataldo faded in the final kilometres of racing as the climb of the Alto Mas de la Costa grew ever steeper, allowing Frank to go clear to the finish.

The IAM Cycling rider crossed the line in a winning time of 4hr, 34min and 38sec, securing his team’s fourth Grand Tour stage win of their final season, before they fold.

The Czech Republic’s Leopold König would eventually end second, six seconds adrift, with The Netherlands’ Robert Gesink and Spain’s Pello Bilbao following him across the finish.

Cataldo eventually finished in fifth position.

The general classification riders finished together despite Alberto Contador's acceleration ©Getty Images
The general classification riders finished together despite Alberto Contador's acceleration ©Getty Images

Spain’s Alberto Contador attempted a late attack from the general classification group in a bid to boost his chances of a podium finish.

Race leader Nairo Quintana, his fellow Colombian Esteban Chaves and Britain’s Chris Froome were all able to finish with Contador, despite the latter being dropped on several occasions, only to recover.

Quintana remains 3min 37sec clear of Tour de France winner Froome in the overall standings, with Chaves a further 20 seconds down in third.

Contador is currently outside the final podium positions, but is just five seconds adrift of Chaves.

A flat 200km stage from Requena to Gandia will take place tomorrow, ahead of a 37km individual time trial on Friday (September 9).

The time trial could offer a chance for Quintana’s rivals to reduce his overall lead in the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour race, but the Colombian looks increasingly likely to win the Grand Tour.