For the umpteenth time in this year's Vuelta a Espana, Javier Aramendia was on the attack in today's hard stage of the Vuelta a Espana. In the end, he came up against stronger climbers and had to be content with the most aggressive rider award.

Javier Aramendia is known as the most aggressive rider in the Vuelta a Espana and today he was again part of the action. This time, however, he found himself in unusual terrain as he had attacked in a hard mountain stage.

"It took a long time for the break to be established," he said. "I managed to join the group but the rain and the descent made me a bit empty in the end and I had no legs. It was a quality break and we worked well together but there were better climbers than me and it was not to be.

"Then I helped Arroyo reach the finish. It is a shame but we were there in the break. It's my third Vuelta and we are doing a good job but this year the level is high and it is hard to win.

"This stage brought back great memories from Antonio Piedra's victory although I was more comfortable today than in 2012. We will continue to fight and hope to win a stage and take the mountains jersey back."