Lampre-Merida got the Vuelta a Espana off to a diastrous start as they lost Chris Horner before the race had even started. Today the team bounced back with a great showing as Roberto Ferrari sprinted to third in the first road stage.

Lampre-Merida had planned to go into the Vuelta a Espana with a focus on the overall standings but lost leader and defending champion Chris Horner two days ago. Hence, it is now left to the team's remaining riders to salvage the race and today Roberto Ferrari got it off to a solid start by taking third in the first sprint.

"I did the final kilometre in the first five positions," he said. "I was on Bouhanni's wheel behind the FDJ riders, the best possible position. I did really well and thanks to the constant support from my teammates I got to San Fernando with more energy in my legs.

"In the final turn, Stuyven separated me from Bouhanni. I lost a bit of speed and I had to accelerate. The Frenchman was irresistible but I was good and managed to pass Stuyven. However, the lost speed in the turn prevented me from not getting passed by Degenkolb."

“I’m more or less happy with the top 3. Bouhanni had something extra today. It was all done at the last curve but we were up there. I think I can try to win in the next few stages. I’m not far off."

Earlier in the team Horner's substitute, 21-year-old Valerio Conti, had been part of the early break and will start tomorrow's stage is the white combination jersey.

"I am pleased to be able to do what the sports directors had asked me to do," he said. "In the technical meeting we had agreed that I should join the breaks in the beginning of the stage so I was very attentive in the first kiloemtres. I attacked at the right time when the break was created.

"The course started with a category 3 climb where we earned a good advantage. Then we tried to hold off the peloton for as long as possible.

"With four riders, we were not enough to get to the finish so I focused on the sprints, winning the honor of receiving the combination jersey.

"For me it is a great feeling to be able to have so positive experiences on the second day in my first grand tour. I know I have to be attentive and stay focused to continue to do well.

“I only did what the directeurs sportifs told me to do. I made the first breakaway of the Vuelta. It wasn’t an easy one to make as it was an uphill start. We rode well together until the peloton caught us with 20km to go. They caught us when they wanted to.

"Two or three days before the start of the Vuelta, I was maybe going to be a starter. Only the day before, on Friday morning, I was told to pack my bag and come to Spain but my bag was already ready. It’s better to start my first Grand Tour in those conditions, with no pressure.

"I ride with the race number 1 on my back but I’m not the great champion that Chris Horner is. For sure, I won’t win the Vuelta, at least not this year. I’m only 21. I’d like to finish the three-week race but I don’t know how my physique will react.”