In 2008 and 2009, Alberto Contador took dominant victories in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco but failed to win in his return to the event 12 months ago. Today he set himself up for a third overall win in the race when he took a commanding solo win on the opening stage. With the course less hard than in previous years, the multiple grand tour champion underlined that it is important to take every opportunity in the race.

The Vuelta Pais Vasco kicked off with a 153 kilometer long stage including no less than 8 climbs in and around Ordizia. Four riders decided to form today’s long-lasting breakaway. While behind, Movistar and Tinkoff-Saxo were controlling the pace of the pack and once again, Alberto Contador demonstrated fantastic form and great confidence.

The hard course resulted in clutches of riders were dropped from the back of the peloton as Tinkoff-Saxo took up the pace entering the final 50 kilometers and the front group was first divided and eventually with 25 kilometers to go, the final two escapees re-joined the bunch.

On the final climb, 8 kilometers from the finish line, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) jumped out of the saddle and took off in an attempt to elope the group of favorites but Alberto Contador hung on to the wheel of his rival until 7 kilometers to go where the Tinkoff-Saxo captain launched a sudden and extremely powerful counter-attack and soon disappeared into the distance and soloed his way down the descent and to the finish line to a great stage win – 13 seconds ahead of Valverde.

“I'm very, very happy to again win in this area that I like so much and where I have been good so many times," he said. "A perfect day, good weather, many people on the roads and good legs.

"The surroundings have been impressive on the last climb, with so many people. It was impressive. The truth is that I feel at home here. I have spent much time on these roads.

“We must seize every opportunity. This morning I had good legs and I had to seize the day. What is important now is to recover, because the race has only just begun and we must go day by day.

"I wanted to try, knowing that Alejandro was very strong. In the end I was able to get some seconds. That was enough, but Valverde is very strong. I just tried to suffer as much as possible."

“We took control of the race early on along with Movistar as we obviously had common interests and we kept increasing the pressure throughout the stage," sports director Philippe Mauduit said. "On the final climb, Alberto did an amazing job counter-attacking Valverde and finished to job in perfect style leaving everyone behind.

"It’s a good start of the race but we’re also aware that already tomorrow, we’ll be under attack. But we have a strong team here and I think we can maintain this lead for a while."