Two years ago Kenny Elissonde (FDJ) won the big mountain stage to Angliru in the Vuelta a Espana. With a solid 30th place in the first mountain stage, he is aiming at a repeat victory.

"I did what I could. There was a hard pace in a stretched peloton and some flat sections. I tried to hang on out there," he said. "I don't know if I'm getting used to it but I found there was more air. The more we go in this Vuelta, the better we'll stand the heat.

"Now I will need a little bit of luck to go into the right break. I lost 1:50 I think. I got dropped with 2 km to go and in these cases, you lose time quickly."