Luxembourg's Jean-Pierre Drucker crosses the line first to win stage 16 of the Vuelta a España ©Getty Images

Jean-Pierre Drucker became Luxembourg's second successive winner of stage 16 of the Vuelta a España after sprinting home on a day which provided a rare break from the mountains.

The BMC rider began his sprint late at the end of the 156 kilometres stage from Alcañiz to Peñiscola before powering clear of Etixx-Quick Step rival Gianni Meersman, who had been chasing his third stage win of the Tour.

Meersman faded to fourth as Germans Rudiger Selig and Nikias Arndt finished second and third.

Drucker duly emulated his compatriot Frank Schleck last year in winning the 16th stage of the Spanish Tour.

It came in a rare moment of respite in the overall standings after a tumultuous weekend in the mountains which had left the peloton languishing over 50 minutes behind the leaders yesterday.

Nairo Quintana remains over three minutes ahead in the overall standings ©Getty Images
Nairo Quintana remains over three minutes ahead in the overall standings ©Getty Images

Colombia's Nairo Quintana of Movistar finished safely in the peloton today to continue his overall lead of 3min 37sec over Britain's Team Sky rider Chris Froome.

Another Colombian in Esteban Chaves of Orica-Bike Exchange still lies third.

Froome lost almost three minutes yesterday when missing an early breakaway.

His team briefly tried to attack today at the front of the race but were unable to break clear.

They will resume their increasingly unlikely attempt to erode Quintana's lead in the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour race on Wednesday (September 7) after a rest day tomorrow.