It was a rare quiet day for the overall contenders as Britain's Chris Froome maintained his 11 second overall lead.

Mohorič, riding for UAE Team Emirates, formed part of large breakaway group which gathered early on in the 207 kilometres rolling stage from Cuenca. 

The advantage over the peloton grew to over eight minutes with 22 kilometres to go - and never looked like being reduced.

Belgium's Lotto-Soudal rider Thomas De Gendt led the first of a series of attacks before Mohorič launched the decisive burst.

He stayed clear to cross first in 4 hours 43min 35sec.

Pawel Poljański of Poland, riding for Bora-Hansgrohe, won a three-way sprint for second place, 16 seconds behind.

Jose Joaquin Rogas of Spain and Movistar finished third with De Gendt fourth.

The peloton eventually rolled in more than nine minutes behind as Froome maintained his lead over Colombia's Orica-Scott rider Esteban Chaves.

Nicolas Roche of Ireland and BMC Racing lies third, 13 seconds back.

There should be more of a challenge for overall contenders tomorrow on a 199.5km hilly stage from Hellin to Xorret de Cati.

Froome is bidding to become the third man to win the Vuelta and the Tour de France in the same year.

It will be a busy day of cycling tomorrow as the women's GP de Plouay-Bretagne - the anti-penultimate leg of this year's International Cycling Union World Tour - takes place in France.