“The favourites have finished within seconds of each other and that's good for the race,” Contador said at the finish line. “It's always good that we are all close overall and it is nice for the show. It was a good day for us.”

Contador repeated that it has been “a good stage for us, but it would have been better to stay ahead of our rivals, but the result stands and I am very happy because the team was very strong.”

Contador’s only regret was the accident involving Benjamin Noval.

“I heard nothing until the finish because my radio didn't work, but that's the most important today, that Benjamin can be recovered, because he is a very important rider for the team.”

Noval was hit on the hand by the camera of a photographer situated on the first kilometres of the circuit and suffered a heavy blow with a suspected broken finger. After visiting the hospital, however, a fracture was discarded, although he suffers distension of the ligament of the index finger on his right hand. The rider may take the start tomorrow wearing a special bandage.

Alberto Contador, meanwhile, went on to explain that he was particularly happy “because the team has given its 100 by 100 and that allows us to continue with all options open with regards to the classification. We are only at the fourth stage, the Tour is still very long, but after the fall on the first day I feel better with each passing day and even though my left leg still bothers me somewhat, I hope to arrive in perfect condition a the Pyrenees.”