For the second day in a row, Mikael Cherel (Ag2r) joined the right break in the Vuelta a Espana but again he came up short, having to settle for fourth.

"I'm very disappointed because I did not seize my chance," he said. "It doesn't happen so often. I tried to attack twice but De Marchi was the strongest. He's an experienced rider who already won on the Tour or the Vuelta last year. He was difficult to handle.

"When I saw how strong he was, my morale took a blow. I told myself I could no longer win, that I was going to finish second or fourth. Who cares? I've attacked for the last couple of days. My sensations are not so good even if I rode at the front. I have to do with it. "