Cadel Evans got a late scare on an otherwise calm day for BMC in the Vuelta a Espana when he suffered an untimely puncture in the finale. Having got a wheel from teammate Dominik Nerz, the Australian was paced back to the peloton by teammate Rohan Dennis.

The BMC Racing Team placed five riders in the leading group of Tuesday – including protected riders Cadel Evans and Samuel Sánchez – as another hot day at the Vuelta a España took its toll on the peloton. Only 59 riders came to the finish together as the pack split on the ascent of the Alto del Catorce por Ciento, less than 20 kilometers from the finish of the 164.7-km race.

Evans was momentarily delayed by a flat tire on the climb, but successfully chased back to finish 36th. Sánchez was 39th, Steve Morabito was 41st, Larry Warbasse was 51st and Rohan Dennis was 57th – all in the same time as stage winner John Degenkolb (Team Giant-Shimano).

Dennis said he paced Evans back after his puncture.

"I tried to help him back on," Dennis said. "Once I got him there, it was one or two-minute effort at most, then a bit of a break and then another one or two-minute effort and sort of rolling hills until to the descent and then a headwind finish."

In the overall standings, Michael Matthews (ORICA-GreenEDGE) kept the lead, 8 seconds ahead of Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team). . Sánchez climbed from 14th to 12th place overall and is 29 seconds back. Evans is 13th and also 29 seconds back.

"Today was more of a day to stay on the fence and out of trouble," BMC Racing Team Sport Director Fabio Baldato said. "Samuel and Cadel were there and that was good for us. We just needed them to stay out of trouble."

Dealing with the heat continues to be a priority, Baldato said.

"You drink water and use ice and try to cool down," he said."You also need to make an effort to eat because your body needs to cool down. But it is hard to stay cool."