Chris Froome wrapped up the overall victory at the Ruta del Sol by battling to sixth place on the final day of action.

Froome was well marshalled on a blustery run from Montilla, and emerged perfectly positioned to contest the sharp concluding drag in Alhaurin de la Torre.

The British rider only needed to finish on the same time as Alberto Contador to seal his first race win of 2015, but ended the day two places higher than the Spaniard to secure the early-season bragging rights.

It was Juan Jose Lobato that took the stage triumph, with the Movistar rider producing a devastating late kick to cross the line one second ahead of John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin).

Froome ended the day just one second further adrift to take not only the leader’s jersey, but the points jersey as well. If that wasn’t enough, Mikel Nieve defended his fourth place on the overall standings, and Team Sky also topped the team classification by a considerable 9min 30sec margin.

Immediately after the stage, Froome was delighted to have rounded off his win, and full of praise for everyone that helped make it possible.

He said: “It wasn’t as easy as I’d imagined and the racing was full on today. It was windy, but I’m really happy with how the guys performed out there – they supported me all the way through and I’m delighted to get this win for them.

“Being the first race of the season and knowing that I’ve got a lot to build on now as we head towards the Tour - it really couldn’t have gone any better here for us. Winning here again just reminds me how grateful I am to be in this position, and how these wins, no matter how big or small, don’t come easily. You have to work very hard for them.”

“It couldn’t have gone any better for us out here, and this win’s special as it’s my first race of the season. That said, I still have a lot to build on as we head towards the Tour de France. I want to stay on this path, staying healthy and injury-free, and gradually building my form.

“No win comes easily – you have to work for them – and I’m grateful to my wife, and my team for helping to get me in this position. It’s such a privilege to have that infrastructure behind me.

“The changes will, if anywhere, be more in the training I’m doing but I think for where I’m at right now, we’re right on where we want to be at this time of the year.

“You look at the files and the numbers, it’s good, hard on racing, it’s going to move you on in terms of your progression and form. I’m really glad I’ve come here and not in a sandstorm."

Froome looked back at the two crucial mountain stages.

“There wasn’t so much of a change for me. It was more Alberto changed in the two days. I rode quite a consistent two stages and Alberto probably had a bit of a bad day yesterday [Saturday].

“The legs felt good even though I’d lost time to Alberto, so we went into the next stage with that same attitude, to do as much as we can, and that was when Alberto cracked a bit.”

A day to remember began with seven riders racing clear early on, but Team Sky kept them on a tight leash initially and their lead was never allowed to stretch over the three-minute mark.

With Froome’s position looking safer all the time - especially with the break fracturing in the final hour of action - it was left to the sprint teams to bring everything back together for a fast-paced finish, and they duly obliged with Maciej Paterski (CCC-Sprandi-Polkowice) the final frontrunner to be swept up in the last 6km.

Edward Theuns kicked things off on the final climb of the day, but Lobato breezed past the Topsport Vlaanderen rider and had ample time to savour his second win of the season.  

Froome was not far behind, and was pleased to reflect on an impressive week for Team Sky.

He added: “This week’s been a great morale boost and also for the guys over in the Algarve, Richie [Porte] winning yesterday, G [Geraint Thomas] winning the overall, Elia [Viviani] won in Dubai [stage two], too, Richie in Down Under. There’s a great buzz in the team and everyone’s excited. Hopefully we can just build on that now.”