The riders who are taking part in the Vuelta a Espana once again tasted the climbs in the 18th stage.

Kristijan Durasek was Lampre-Merida's rider in the main breakaway of the stage: after 55 km which were covered at a very high speed, a group of 25 riders escaped from the bunch and reached a maximum advantage of 6'05".

This gap was enough for Roche and Zubeldia to reach the finish and to battle for the victory which was obtained by Roche.

Durasek did not manage to follow the attack of the duo and he was caught by the main group on the descent of the last climb. The Croatian rider from Team Lampre-Merida completed the stage in the second chase group in 28th.

"After the rest day and the very good performance by Oliveira in the time trial, it would have been great for Lampre-Merida to be once again in the front of the race,” Kristijan Durasek said. “In the technical meeting, the sport directors gave me the task to take care of the attacks in the early part of the stage.

“The bunch covered the first kilometers at a very high pace, no breakaway could get clear and so it was difficult to attack. Anyway I tried to focus my attention on the attacks which seemed to be the best and finally I could join the best breakaway. It's a pity I could not be with Zubeldia and Roche until the end".