Vuelta a Espana 2016: Chris Froome still trails Nairo Quintana as Magnus Cort Nielsen wins stage 18

Colombian will take lead of three minutes and 37 seconds over Tour de France winner into Friday's 37km individual time trial

Denmark’s Magnus Cort Nielsen (right) celebrates winning the 18th stage of the Vuelta a Espana (EPA)

Denmark's Magnus Cort Nielsen gave Orica-BikeExchange their third stage victory of the Vuelta a Espana by winning a sprint to end stage 18.

After Wednesday's mountain finish, the 200 kilometres stage from Requena to Gandia gave the leading men a chance to take a back seat.

A five-man breakaway took shape early in the stage comprising of Pierre Rolland, Fumiyuki Beppu, Quentin Jauregui, Mattia Cattaneo and Louis Vervaeke.

But they were caught just over 11km from the line, allowing the sprinters time to line up for the finish.

It was Nielsen who judged it best, the 23-year-old holding off Nikias Arndt and Jean-Pierre Drucker to claim victory.

The red jersey of Nairo Quintana finished safely in the pack and he will take a lead of three minutes and 37 seconds over Tour de France winner Chris Froome into Friday's 37km individual time trial.

PA