Jose Gonçalves was 2nd to cross the finish line today in the Vuelta a Espana. The Portuguese rider is having a great Vuelta finishing in 2nd place, arriving in the escape only behind Rubén Plaza. This is Gonçalves 4th top 5 (one 2nd place, one 3rd and two 5ths).

Caja Rural-Seguros RGA was prominent during the stage. The stage kicked off with an escape from Jose Gonçalves in kilometre 4, a small group of riders joined him and later also a more numerous group behind them, among which were his teammates Pello Bilbao and David Arroyo (who had a crash in the descent from the second climb).

José Gonçalves said at the finish line:

“I felt very good and that's why I tried to make it into the escape in order to search for a stage triumph, which was my aim in the Vuelta right from the beginning. I was so close, Rubén Plaza attacked really well and surprised us all."

"It was better than expected," Arroyo said. "I thought I would be more fatigued after the last stages, but in the end things have gone well, despite the crash. Luckily I only have some bruises. It was a hard stage. Since the start there was a big fight to win both the stage and the Vuelta. The result was very good but it is a pity that Jose Gonçalves is second. If anyone deserved a win, it was him."