MADRID, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek won the 15th stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Sunday, ahead of the race's second rest day.

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease-a-Bike) retained his 48-second lead over Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates XRG), with both finishing safely in the main group of favorites, 13 minutes and 31 seconds behind Pedersen.

The Danish rider comfortably won the sprint at the end of the 167.8-kilometer stage between A Veiga and Monforte de Lemos in Galicia, northwest Spain.

Coming after two grueling mountain stages, the day was always likely to favor a breakaway, with the overall contenders conserving energy for the decisive final week.

A 47-man group was allowed to escape, with Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates XRG) and Louis Vervaeke (Soudal Quick-Step) briefly breaking clear before being reeled in with seven kilometers remaining.

That set up a reduced group sprint, where Pedersen, a specialist in such finishes, powered to victory without serious challenge. ■