Madrazo triumphed at the end of the 170.7 kilometres fifth stage from L'Eliana to Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre, despite being dropped from the leading group on several occasions on the final descent.

The 31-year-old was involved in a three-man breakaway, with team mate Jetse Bol and Jose Herrada of Cofidis, and appeared to be out of contention when he lost ground on his rivals with four kilometres of the climb to go.

But Madrazo stormed back with just over a kilometre remaining and made his move 200 metres from the line.

Madrazo sprinted clear to claim an impressive victory ahead of Bol, while Herrada came third.

Lopez snatched the red jersey from Ireland's Nicolas Roche after he finished fourth.

The Colombian, who rides for Astana, leads the general classification standings in front of Team Jumbo-Visma's Primož Roglič going into tomorrow's sixth stage.

"We’ve only won a few seconds but that’s already something,” Lopez said. 

"We’re happy with the result and the great work inside the team. 

"There’s a lot of racing left but so far everything is going great for us. 

"There’ll be more differences opening in the next days. 

"The 2019 Vuelta is getting hard."

The sixth stage will see the riders tackle a 198.9km route from Mora del Rubielos to Ares del Maestart.