Having originally hoped to become a part of day’s main breakaway, Adam Yates had to settle for staying in the main group and working for his leader Esteban Chaves instead in the Wednesday’s stage to Santuario de San Miguel de Aralar. This year’s Tour of Turkey surprise winner was slightly disappointed after missing an early move, but didn’t rule out chasing stage victories in the latter part of the Vuelta a Espana.

Orica GreenEDGE sports director Neil Stephens praised efforts of the 22-year old Briton after he rolled from the stage finishing climb to the team bus, but young climber could hardly share this enthusiasm.

“Well done mate, good ride,” said the Australian to the 22-year-old British neo-pro, according to Cycling Weekly.

“My job today was to try to get into the early break that went, the trouble was was that everyone else was trying to get in the break too and I didn’t make it,” reported Yates rather disconsolately.

“From that point on I was to help out and then sit up, take it easy and ride up the climb to the finish, that was my day done,” concluded Yates, learning the ropes on a team riding as a General Classification squad for the first time.

Using experiences in the Spanish Grand Tour in order to groom their young talents into leadership role in the future, Orica sports director was pleased with Chaves’ and Yates’ performances in opening 11 stages of the Vuelta.

“It’s a different thing riding for the GC,” explained Stephens, “I mean, on a day like this, a mountain top finish, a lot of the guys would just have ridden in, but because we’re trying to work with Esteban [Chaves] to see what he can do. They’ve all got jobs to do every day, it’s a different kind of approach for a lot of them, but it’s good motivation.”