Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar) conquered his long-awaited 'rojigualda' jersey yesterday - he had been 6th in 2009, 5th in 2010 and 2nd in the last two editions - in the Spanish TT held over 44km, the Basque showing strength and consistency from the first intermediate times, where he kept big favourite Luis León Sánchez (BLA) behind before eventually beating him by 45 seconds.

A great performance from Movistar Team was completed with Rubén Plaza claiming the bronze medal -back into the podium after silver in 2006 and 2008 -, Alejandro Valverde's 5th place just 15 seconds off the podium in his last TT before the Tour. With Eloy Teruel finishing 6th and Jesús Herrada's 7th, all Movistar Team riders finished in the top ten in the race.

 "I felt really strong all day,” Castoviejo explained. “I had finished runner-up twice in the last two years but I came to this year's race in better physical condition, with the only goal of winning the race. It was a beautiful course and a technical one - you had to distribute your energy well over it. There was a steady climb in the beginning and you couldn't give everything there. Then, there was much wind halfway through the course and it made it harder - it was the crucial point to win or lose, because the final part was almost downhill, and a matter of keeping the gaps. I had all the references I needed and knew that I had to keep calm into the climb. I did and came through it with the same time as 'Luisle' - since that point, I kept taking time on him. After my TT in Dauphiné, I was quite confident, and I proved today my condition was good. I'm feeling well these days and I hope to do well in the Tour."