Defending La Vuelta champion Remco Evenepoel was left fuming after a crash seconds after winning stage three left him bleeding, in the latest incident in an already chaotic grand tour race.

Evenepoel delivered a perfectly-timed sprint to take victory in stage three of the Vuelta a Espana on Monday, beating Jonas Vingegaard and Juan Ayuso to the finish line as he also claimed the leader's red jersey.

The third stage was a 158.5-kilometre ride from Suria to Arinsal which involved flat roads at the start before ending with two category one climbs.

Soudal Quick-Step rider Evenepoel launched his effort some 300 metres from the line, leaving Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) and Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) in his wake to claim his first stage win of the 2023 edition.

His celebrations were short-lived however, as he crashed less than 100m after crossing the finish line, leaving him bleeding from a cut on his eyebrow.

The Belgian rider had sat up in the saddle as he crossed the line with his hands in the air, before beginning to brake but as he rolled at speed towards a barrier at the end of the course, Evenepoel collided with a woman at the edge of the crowd.

His shoulder appeared to hit the woman on the chin, knocking her down — Evenpeoel hit the ground hard and was helped up with blood streaming from his face, although he signalled to officials he was not badly hurt.

The crash is the latest incident in a less-than-smooth start to this year's Vuelta, the last of this year's grand tour races in cycling.

The opening sunset team time-trial, which was affected by heavy rain, was criticised by riders with Evenepoel describing the late start time as "ridiculous", and like driving "at 200kmh on the highway in full darkness without any lights".