Alberto Contador may have played down expectations for the Vuelta a Espana but today his Tinkoff-Saxo team did a lot of work to keep their captain out of trouble. However, the Spaniard insists that he is riding in this way as it is simply a habit.

Going into the Vuelta a Espana, Alberto Contador claimed that he would approach the race much differently than he usually does as he is not in a condition to ride for the overall win. Today, however, he and Tinkoff-Saxo were riding as race favouriets as they completely dominated the finale, keeping the captain out of trouble.

However, Contador still downplays expectations.

“Initially the wind was very strong, but then it settled down. You still had to be alert, however, and I’m thrilled with the work of my teammates," Contador said. “In the finale, that way of riding is a habit. I don’t feel comfortable when I’m at the back. I don’t have the same pressure to be in the front that I had at the Tour, but I like being up there. The team likes it too, it serves as motivation.

“It's true that I was suffering a bit this morning with my leg, but luckily on the bike the discomfort is minimal. I got through the day and now I’m recovering, so I'm happy with how things are going.”

“Our overall goal was to stay out of trouble and trying to prevent getting caught behind and the boys did an excellent job all the way to the finish line," sports director Steven De Jongh said. "It’s the same target tomorrow where we’re facing a somewhat other terrain though and we simply have to avoid accidents and save energy for the stages where we have a better chance of making a mark on the race."