The Cofidis rider pulled clear to finish first at La Laguna Negra in a time of 3hr 29min 17sec.

France’s Romain Grégoire of Groupama-FDJ was in the mix for victory but had to settle for the runners-up spot after finishing three seconds behind Herrada.

Denmark’s Andraes Kron of Lotto Dstny finished eight seconds further back in third, while Ecuador’s Jonathan Caicedo of EF Education-EasyPost and Britain’s Geraint Thomas of INEOS Grenadiers completed the top five.

It was Herrada’s third stage victory at Vuelta a España having picked up wins in 2019 and 2022.

"It's always hard to know when it can be your day but you have to try, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't," said Herrada in a report by Cycling News.

"I'm very happy.

"My goal was a stage win.

"I had to wait for the second week to make it happen but we did it.

"Now we can enjoy the rest of the race and keep fighting."

Kuss placed 30th but remains 26-second clear of Spain’s Marc Soler of the UAE Team Emirates.

"You always have to believe," said Kuss.

"It's pretty simple.

"I give my best every day and I'm enjoying every day that I have the red jersey."

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with a flat stage from Ólvega to Zaragoza.