Juan Jose Lobato defended his lead in today's stage of the Vuelta a Burgos but knows that his time in the purple jersey has come to an end. In tomorrow's queen stage he will be riding in service of team leader Nairo Quintana.

'Calm' was the main word for Juanjo Lobato, Nairo Quintana and the Movistar Team riders during stage two of the Vuelta a Burgos - 152km between Briviesca and Villadiego. A six-man breakaway under tight control from Imanol Erviti and Rubén Plaza, while the rest of the Blues protected the Spaniard and the Colombian, meant the day was easy for both: Lobato kept the race leadership, despite taking only 10th in the final sprint - won by Matteo Pelucchi (IAM) - while Quintana, ninth overall at 5", will have all the team at his disposal for Friday's crucial mountain ride.

The traditional HC climb of Lagunas de Neila will end a carousel of ascents - seven in total- with five of them - Cargadero (Cat-2), Collado (Cat-2, 2x) and Pasil de Rozavientos (Cat-1) as well as the finish - in the final 65 of 170km on the menu. 

"It was quite a good day for us", reflected Lobato on the day's events, the Andalusian back in purple tomorrow at the start of Comunero de Revenga. "The team controlled the situation perfectly well from the start; we were even willing to take advantage of the crosswinds, but there was no wind to profit."

"Today's finish was different to yesterday's - with all teams saving energy and staying relatively calm until the finish, it was nervous and we couldn't get into the position we wanted. Tomorrow's stage is the Neila one - it's a day all our team is waiting for where we will develop our full strength to see if Nairo can give it a try. I see him doing well, he's calm and I wish he has the best of luck tomorrow," said the GC leader in Burgos.