Caja Rural-Seguros RGA held on to its energy for the finale of Vuelta a Espana stage 4. Just 4 km from the finish line Pello Bilbao tried his luck alone. The peloton did not let him get too far ahead, but Bilbao kept on fighting until the others caught him 2 km before the end.

José Gonçalves also tried his luck in the last kilometre and had a great finale, catching up to Roche who was leading the race, until he was overtaken by Valverde and Sagan. He finished the stage in fifth

This is the second Top 10 position for the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team so far, following the 8th place obtained in the initial TTT.

 “[I’m] tired after such a long stage," he said. "I tried to save my energy all day, Pello Bilbao took off 4 km before the end, this allowed me to hold back a little but keep on going. When I saw the final part, I searched for my options to win, but other riders who are much more experienced than I am in grand tours, this is only my first, overtook me. I am very motivated and eager to win, let’s see how I continue to evolve during the Vuelta, but I hope to continue doing well”.

"Yes, I have seen the bunch stopped and well," Bilbao said. "Afterwards, with Katusha with a couple of guys for Purito it was difficult. Well, I have tried and I know these kind of climbs suited me. Last year, in Cabarceno, on a similar climb, I tried something similar. Its a pity. I hope I will find another chance. We had studied the stage quite well with the roadbook and the maps. Finally the problem was the lack of energy. After all, maybe it would have been more intelligent to wait a little more.

"I liked the end. I did not have the best feelings, but I had to try. I gambled and I did not get much of a gap because they were controlling it well. There was no surprise margin but at least I tried.

 
"I saw that there was a slowdown and I used it to try to surprise, I could not get the gap to get sufficient guarantees. But behind Jose was prepared to sprint and played a good role for us with the 5th place and presence in the end."