An all-Spanish breakaway formed on the 207.9-kilometre second stage from Leitza to Viana, featuring Julen Amezqueta, Ander Okamika, Ibai Azurmendi and Ibon Ruiz.

The quartet established an advantage which peaked at five minutes and 34 seconds, which the peloton appeared to have under control.

The gap closed as the stage progressed, with Ruiz launching a solo attack on the final climb with the Equipo Kern Pharma rider holding a two minute lead on the peloton in the closing 15 kilometres.

The advantage dropped dramatically in the last five kilometres, with Ruiz’s pursuit of a memorable win coming to an end with just 500 metres remaining.

Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl’s French rider Alaphilippe emerged as the winner of the ensuing bunch sprint, with the two-time reigning world champion crossing the line in 5hrs 4min 35sec.

His fellow Frenchman Fabien Doubey and Belgium’s Quinten Hermans completed the top three, with the peloton all finishing on the same time.

The result saw a repeat of the 2019 race, where Alaphilippe also triumphed on the second stage.

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The general classification remained unchanged.

Defending champion Primož Roglič preserved his race lead, with the Slovenian having won the stage one individual time trial.

Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel lies second, with the five second time trial deficit remaining the difference between the two general classification hopefuls.

The race is due to continue tomorrow with a 181.7km stage from Laudio to Amurrio, which is set to feature five climbs.