Team Colombia-Coldeportes endured a tough day at the Vuelta a Catalunya, begun even before the start of the second stage, Matarò-Olot of 192 km. In fact, the first bad news of the day came in the early morning, when it became clear that Rodolfo Torres, the man sporting the best shape for the line-up directed by Oscar Pellicioli and Marco Corti, would not start the stage due to a severe flu.

Reduced to six men, the Escarabajos suffered the frantic pace in the final part of a terrible day, with rain even preventing the tv broadcast of the race. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) won the stage ahead of Josè Joaquin Rojas and Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling). Pole Maciej Paterski (CCC-Sprandi) withheld the overall leader’s jersey. Walter Pedraza andAlex Cano got to the line 3.57 behind the day’s winner.

“Days like this are hard to comment,” General Manager Claudio Corti stated. "Our most experienced riders clearly are still missing the change of pace to fight at the fore in stages like this, while for the youngsters – Diaz and Martinez – this Catalunya is an incredible learning experience, a significant step on a path still at the beginning. We will bounce back though, I am sure of that.”

Tomorrow, Wednesday, the third stage will lead the peloton around Girona for 156 km.