For the first time in Vuelta a Espana 2015, LAMPRE-MERIDA was not represented in the first breakaway. However the attacking mood of the team was shown by Kristijan Durasek in the finale.

The 8th stage of the Spanish race finished in Murcia after two passages of the climb of Alto de la Cresta del Gallo. Before the double passage of the climb, a crash split the field when 6 riders were leading the race. Martin and Van Garderen had to quit the Vuelta, while for LAMPRE-MERIDA Oliveira and Plaza had to chase the group after having received mechanical assistance.

The peloton was again back together at the first passage of the Alto de la Cresta del Gallo, but during the second ascent Durasek demonstrated his climbing skills by delivering an impressive attack which allowed him to join Brambilla who was leading the stage.

A regrouping took place on the descent. Despite some crashes and attacks, the group battled in a sprint in which Durasek was 17th.

"We had again many escape attempts and high speed in the first part of the stage. When only 6 riders succeeded in escaping from the bunch, we knew that they would had few chances against the peloton which doesn't give freedom to the breakaways," sports director Orlando Maini explained. "The crash changed the plans of many teams, but Durasek allowed us to be in front of the race: he was great and he battled until the end of the race.

"Richeze did a good performance, thanks to great legs which gave him the opportunity to be just behind the front group at the second passage of the climb. He only missed a few meters and so he lost the opportunity to take part in the final sprint in which he would had fought for a top result."