Wout van Aert of Belgium secured victory in stage three of the Vuelta a España, outpacing Australia's Kaden Groves in a thrilling finish to maintain his overall lead. After finishing second to Groves in the previous stage, van Aert dominated the 191.2km ride from Lousa to Castelo Branco, extending his lead over American Brandon McNulty to 13 seconds with a 10-second bonus for the win. Groves, who had previously triumphed in stage two, finished second, showcasing his strong form after a challenging season marred by injuries. Spain's Jon Aberasturi Izaga secured third place in the sprint. Van Aert's victory marks a significant return to form after recovering from serious injuries earlier this year, and his celebration reflected his joy in wearing the leader's jersey. The stage victory not only adds to his achievements but also sets a high standard for the upcoming stages of the race.