After a very black day on Tuesday, it was slightly better for the 6 Trek riders that are left in the Volta a Catalunya when Robert Kiserlovski finished 20th in the first mountain stage. With the final climb not suiting the Croatian, the team was satisfied with the results on a day that also witnessed a heroic battle form a sick Julian Arredondo.

On paper it had the appearance of a stage to thoroughly shake the overall. However, the cold weather, coupled with an early six-rider escape group that had gained almost 10 minutes lead, resulted in a race with little aggression over the long mountain climbs and it was still a large peloton that scooped up the last of the escapees on the final five kilometer uphill to the finish.

Robert Kiserlovski was still with the large front group heading into the final kilometer when the attacks began to shatter everything. He held on to finish 20th (+31”).

“It was not the result we wanted today, but regarding everything - the cold weather, that fact everyone is sick, and it was not a perfect finish for Robert today - we came out okay in the end,” explained director Alain Gallopin.  “But we have to look on the good side: we still have six riders in the race!”

With snow lining the sides of the road, and Movistar setting a fierce pace to the top, the attacks came late on the finishing climb. Chris Froome (Team Sky) was the first of the GC contenders to jump with one kilometer to go, but he did little more than create a perfect lead out for Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) who sprinted away to the win in the last steep meters.  Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) followed for second place a handful of seconds later, with Nairo Quintana (Movistar) rolling across for third.

Although not the perfect finish for Kiserlovski, it was tailored made for Julián Arredondo.  Unfortunately, after battling stomach issues the last two days, he would not have the strength to be anywhere near the top climbers today, and did a herculean effort to finish the 163-kilometer stage.

“Julián was vomiting this morning, and I was sure after seeing this he was going to stop today,” continued Gallopin. “Also, the good news is that Jens [Voigt] is improving a lot, and Kristoff [Vandewalle] is also riding well and together with Fumi [Beppu] they are doing a tremendous job here.

"Robert is going well, but it was not a finish for him today. Tomorrow is a longer climb for the finish and it could be much better for him. So, again, we shall see what happens tomorrow, but the race is far from over."

Rodriguez takes over the leader’s jersey as the overall classification mirrors the stage finish today. Robert Kiserlovski sits in 20th place, 31 seconds back, with stage four tomorrow ending on a 12-kilometer mountaintop climb.