BMC Racing Team's Alessandro De Marchi went on the attack on the last climb Monday at the Vuelta a España after several teammates were part of a large breakaway earlier in the 146.6-kilometer race.

After being joined by two others up and over the top of the climb, De Marchi and his breakaway companions could not hold off the charging peloton on the descent. Jempy Drucker was the BMC Racing Team's best finisher, in 15th, in the reduced bunch sprint that was won by Kristian Sbaragli (MTN-Qhubeka).

"Step by step! Special thanks to the commissaire that with his moto almost hit me in the last downhill," De Marchi tweeted after the stage.

Earlier in the race, Darwin Atapuma, Amaël Moinard and Peter Velits represented the BMC Racing Team in a 40-rider escape that included riders from all 22 teams. The escapees enjoyed a lead of nearly three minutes before being hauled back.

Tom Dumoulin (Team Giant-Alpecin) remains the race leader heading into the first rest day of the three-week race. Samuel Sánchez is the BMC Racing Team's best-placed rider in the overall standings in 16th place, 4:04 behind.