Franck Pineau had a very mixed feeling in Malaga at the end of the third stage of the Vuelta. Kenny Elissonde, ably assisted by Olivier Le Gac, Jussi Veikkanen and Laurent Pichon, and sprinter Lorrenzo Manzin all stayed with the best but his other four riders were dropped a little too early for his liking.

"On the first climb, fourteen riders were dropped, including four from the FDJ team. There are explanations, but it's not pleasant, neither for them nor for me. I expect a reaction from them," he said.

The stage ended with the expected scenario of a bunch sprint in which Lorrenzo Manzin did not have the strength to mix it up.

"Lorrenzo and Olivier are young and we can not demand too much of them," Pineau said. "They did the job by being in the peloton, fighting to keep their position there. They have both been very satisfying since the start of the Vuelta."