Julian Arredondo (Trek) was widely tipped as the rider that could potentially beat Alejandro Valverde in yesterday's steep finale of the first stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia. However, cramps took the Colombian out of contention, leaving it to veteran Haimar Zubeldia to defend his team's colours.

The hilly 186.8-kilometer opening stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia resulted in the first battle between the GC contenders and it was Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) deepening his hold on the red jersey with his second straight victory. Rounding out the top three were Bauke Mollema (Belkin) and Davide Rebellin (CCC Polsat Polkowice). 

Haimar Zubeldia was the first of the Trek Factory Racing squad to cross the line, finishing in 13th place, 21” behind Valverde - enough to launch him into fifth place in the overall standings.

“We had hoped to win the stage today, and we did a good job until the end,” explained director Adrinao Baffi. “Haimar did what he is able to do, he was not in the best position going into the climb and that hurt his chances a little. But in the end he still had a good finish.”

Trek Factory Racing’s Julián Arredondo, marked as one of the favorites for the stage win today, was weakened by leg cramps and unable to contest the final climb.

“Arredondo had cramps in his legs after 150kms,” Baffi explained about the surprising low finish of the Colombian climber. “He fought hard to the end, he was in the first group at the bottom of the last climb, but he did not have the power to fight for the win. It was Julián’s first race after his long travel from home, and at 190kms it was a rough start for him.”

The team now faces the race's queen stage which ends at the top of a hard category 1 climb.

“We tried, and we still have something at the end with a fifth in the overall - still a good result for us," Baffi said. "Tomorrow we will try again. We have confidence in both Haimar and Julián, and we will work for both of them again.”

You can read our preview of the race here.