Daniel Martin (Cannondale-Garmin) was the first rider to attack from the group of favourites in stage 7 of the Vuelta a Espana but he was left surprised by the easy nature of the final climb. In the end, he finished with his main rivals in 11th.

“The finish was supposed to be ramps of 10, 11 13 percent and instead it’s 5 or 6 percent,” Martin told Cyclingnews afterwards. “It was the same yesterday and the day before. Obviously we get information from the finish line when the soigneurs see it but it’s not the same. It’s kind of strange and it maybe changed the race a little bit today because everyone was waiting for that steep part and the climb to the line.”

Martin is still third overall.