Daniel Martin (Cannondale) got the Vuelta a Espana off to a great start when he finished fourth in the first real stage of the race.

"I didn't expect they'd let me go," he said. "I waited, waited and then Chaves came past me and that was it.  I was just missing races actually, I felt a little bit rusty. I don't know about the GC. I was going for the stage. I'm taking it day by day after a lack of racing for thee weeks.

"It was quite nervous today, at the start my legs were saying what the hell is that… It was a really savage day with lots of ups and downs and the crash. I hope nobody got hurt but it certainly split the peloton. It was hard. The team believed in me and I nearly gave them back."