MADRID: Italy’s Fabio Aru sealed his first ever Grand Tour victory as Germany’s John Degenkolb finally claimed a stage win on the final day of Spain’s Vuelta on Sunday.

Aru just needed to get through the 98.8km parade through the streets of Madrid unscathed after building up a 1min 17sec lead over Joaquim Rodriguez on Saturday’s penultimate stage.

Rodriguez finished second to record his third podium finish in the Vuelta, but a puncture midway through the stage saw him lose out on the green points jersey to Spanish compatriot Alejandro Valverde. Poland’s Rafal Majka finished third.