Britain’s Simon Yates recovered from a puncture to retain the overall lead at the 2018 Vuelta a Espana as Italian Elia Viviani claimed a second stage victory.

Quick-Step rider Viviani, winner on stage three, edged out world champion Peter Sagan in a sprint finish over Tuesday’s mostly flat 177km course from Salamanca to Bermillo de Sayago.

Viviani, overall runner-up to Chris Froome in last year’s event, pushed in front following a battle in the last 200 metres to cross almost two bike lengths clear, with countryman Giacomo Nizzolo taking third place.

As the race resumed following a rest day, Jesus Ezquerra (Burgos) and Tiago Machado (Katusha-Alpecin) had at one stage formed a two-man breakaway, but were eventually reeled back into the peloton.

Yates maintained ownership of the red jersey after the Mitchelton-Scott rider was helped to get back on track into the bunch when his bike needed some mechanical repairs heading into the closing 14km.

Nairo Quintana and Wilco Kelderman were also among those to suffer punctures.

Yates is, though, just one second ahead of Alejandro Valverde in the general classifications, with the Spaniard’s Movistar team-mate Quintana some 14 seconds adrift.

Stage 11 will be over 208.8kms from Mombuey to Luintra, which will see one second and three third-category climbs.