Kaden Groves won a thrilling sprint finish to take the 17th stage of the Vuelta a España, as Australians dominated a rain-drenched day of racing through northern Spain on Wednesday.

Groves' fellow Australian Ben O'Connor of the Decathlon team held the overall race lead with a five-second advantage on Slovenian three-time champion Primoz Roglic.

A third Australian Jay Vine of UAE Team Emirates held on to the polka-dot jersey for the best climber.

Groves, riding for the Alpecin Deceuninck team, pipped Czech Pavel Bittner of DSM with Belgian Vito Braet of Intermarche-Wanty third after the 142km run from Arnuero to Santander.

For Groves, it was his third stage win in this year's race and seventh on the Vuelta.

With Belgian Wout Van Aert out of the race after suffering a painful knee injury on Tuesday, Groves is the favourite for the top sprinters green jersey.

"It was quite a tough day, starting dry and then the majority of the finish wet," Groves told reporters at the finish.

"It made it quite dangerous out there. My team were so strong," he added. "They had a really super day. To repay them with win number three is pretty special." (AFP)