Australia's Kaden Groves has missed out on the opportunity of a second win at this year's Vuelta a España after making the error of looking the wrong way during the sprint finish to stage five.

Groves, riding for Alpecin–Deceuninck, was chasing another triumph after his victory in second stage of the Spanish grand tour.

He hesitated for a split second too long in the dying metres of the fifth stage in Seville when he glanced over his right shoulder as his main rival for the points jersey, Wout van Aert, got the jump.

Groves finished third, while van Aert was upstaged by Czech Pavel Bittner, who sprinted to the most significant victory of his career.

Although Groves had earlier won an intermediate sprint from van Aert during the 177-kilometres route, he is now 13 points behind the Belgian in the race for the green jersey, which is beginning to look like a two-horse race.

Three-time Vuelta champion Primož Roglič, victor in the fourth stage, held on to the overall leader's red jersey.

Roglič is eight seconds ahead of Portugal's João Almeida and 32 seconds clear of Spain's Enric Mas.

Jack Haig remains the leading Australian on the general classification standings, one minute and 20 seconds off the pace in 14th place.

AAP