Lluis Mas defended his mountains jersey for another day as there were no KOM sprints in today's flat stage. The Spaniard was pleased to save energy for Saturday's and Monday's stage which he expects to be decisive in the battle for the win in the competition.

Lluis Mas has given Caja Rural lots of time in the spotlight in the Vuelta a Espana as he has worn the mountains jersey since he took it on stage 3. With no climbs in today's stage, he had an easy day at the office and is now looking ahead to the upcoming mountain stages.

"I will wear the jersey for another day," he said. "It's important for me and the team because it means we get some attention. The stage was not hard but it was good to have a relaxed day before Saturday and Monday which I think may be the key to the jersey. But everyone will think the same so it will be difficult. 

"It was a shame with the crash. [Caja Rural sprinter] Francesco Lasca was good he would surely have had options. It was a rather nasty crash and I hope that everybody is okay. Today we didn't try to join the break but in the next stages we will make war. We will see if we have luck on out side. The heat will continue which suits me just fine."