In the final stage Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) tried hard to take back the four seconds from Joaquim Rodriguez that he needed to take the overall win at the Volta a Catalunya but in the end he had to settle for second. Nonetheless, he finished ahead of defending Tour champion Chris Froome and the Spaniard was keen to point out that he hadn't seen too much from his British rival in the Spanish race.

It was now or not at all for Tinkoff-Saxos Alberto Contador on today’s final stage of Volta a Catalunya as he was four seconds behind the leading rider, Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) when they took on the only 120 kilometer long stage in the streets of Barcelona.

Heavy rain and a very slippery surface marred the scenery going into Barcelona but it didn’t prevent a large group of 13 riders to go clear forming a long-lasting break while Katusha were eager to control the pack in order to prevent the expected fireworks of attacks on the leader’s jersey. And Alberto Contador kept launching attacks on the wet and treacherous surface to gain the 4 seconds, he needed but Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) shut down every attempt.

Ahead of everyone was now Lieuwe Westra (Astana) soloing his way the finish line taking the stage win while Rodriguez conquered the overall win. Tinkoff-Saxo’s Alberto Contador finished second overall.

“I guess missing the win with 4 seconds leads me to find places and situations in the race which I could have taken advantage of but the truth is that I’m happy," he said. "Especially on how I recovered day by day. Although I have already done some pretty hard races I feel good, both physically and mentally and rested for the next target – Basque Country. Anyway, Joaquim has been very attentive at all times and I can only congratulate him on a job well done.

“The balance is pretty good. I have felt well all around and had good sensations. Maybe I've lacked a stage with a different finish and it's a pity that I have not taken better advantage of the mountain stages, especially Vallter 2000.

“I have a few regrets after Vallter 2000, because maybe I could have insisted more. I think that I had the legs for the stage and could have tried something more for the overall, but tactically there are times you play it one way and in another way in other situations.

“You never know [if a time trial would have been an advantage]. There are times that a time trial benefits you and others where it is the opposite. Against Joaquim it could benefit me, but maybe not against Van Garderen. Who knows, what you need to do is to take advantage the parcours that is there.

“I've tried at one and 2 laps to go. Today I think they have done the right thing by cutting the circuit due to the danger but it has also made the climb easier and it was more difficult to surprise."

Asked about Froome, he said:

"The truth is that I have not seen him much, because in the end other riders have been battling it out for the win."

“It was a nasty finale concluding a very tough week and the race organizers actually shortened the circuit to avoid a few dangerous curves," sports director Philippe Mauduit said. "Alberto tried his best to gain the time needed but Purito (Rodriguez) was just too strong to drop. Naturally, it can be frustrating being this close to the overall win but Alberto showed continuous great form and now, we’re looking forward to the Pays Basque.