Sunweb rider Nikias Arndt survived a late downpour and treacherous conditions to snatch victory in stage eight of the Vuelta a Espana as Nicolas Arndt took over as overall leader.

The 27-year-old Arndt was a part of the main breakaway and as the rain hammered down came through late to claim the victory in Igualada, near Barcelona, at the end of a 166.9 kilometre ride from Vals.

Join Pro to watch the 2019 Vuelta a España live and on-demand in Canada.

In the final sprint, the German edged out Spaniard Alex Aranburu (Caja Rural), who finished second, and third-placed Belgian Tosh van der Sande (Lotto-Soudal).

"I always said I wanted to win a stage and now I have won at the Vuelta," said Arndt, who also won a stage of the Giro d'Italia three years ago.

Frenchman Edet, who was the best climber at the Vuelta in 2013, took advantage of a general apathy among the favourites to finish nine minutes ahead of the peloton and so take the red jersey from Miguel Angel Lopez.

Sunday's ninth stage in Andorra will be brutal with five categorised climbs in less than 100 kilometres and an off-road section close to the finish.

"Tomorrow I want to come through," Arndt told Eurosport.

"I will enjoy tonight but tomorrow is another day.

"But I have good legs, my teammates have good legs, I think we will come through."