Carlos Barbero has won the first stage of the Vuelta a Burgos. The rider from Burgos begins his home race in the best possible way by winning and becoming the leader of the general classification.

Carlos Barbero achieved his 5th triumph so far this year, thus confirming the high level that he has been showing this season with 18 places in the top 10. Caja Rural-Seguros RGA obtained its first victory in the Vuelta a Burgos since its 2010 return to professional cycling. Lluis Mas had a great stage by being in the day’s escape and giving the team a strong presence.

"The truth is that my feelings throughout the entire stage weren’t that good, but luckily this changed when it had to, in the final stretch. I came on Sunday to check out the finish and to analyse it. I did it three times, measuring distances, and knew it would have to be a short sprint of no more than 150 metres. Fortunately, it all turned out perfectly," Barbero said.

"[I am in good shape] and I’m also very eager to do well, I prepared it and came from Getxo with confidence, where I thought I had every opportunity to win, but it didn’t happen. I really wanted it and now I take home the stage win and the leadership.

"Of course, winning at home, with your people, on your soil, is special. This is my first victory in Burgos as a professional and it makes me very happy.

"Since La Rioja where I came 4th, I’ve been on all the podiums except for two races. I will continue working to keep going like this.  

"We’ll take it day by day, next will be the team time trial, let’s see how that goes. Then comes Villadiego, a stage that could end in a sprint, but it could be too flat, we’ll see. Now it’s time to think about the time trial.

Juanma Hernández, manager of the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team, was pleased.

“It has been a special day for the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team, to win in Burgos when competing with World Tour teams is always special, a great joy. It is an important victory for us. Winning is never easy and especially in this type of race. They are doing very well, the group is very united, with each victory they all have increased confidence and this is why we’re having these kinds of results."

Eugenio Goikoetxea, director of the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team in the Vuelta a Burgos, also shared his thoughts.

“This is everybody’s dream start, you just can’t do better than this. To have that prominence with Lluis Mas and enjoy such an incredible end to the stage when competing with the likes of Dani Moreno is simply spectacular. And with a rider competing on home turf, he deserves to be congratulated for his achievement”.

“The finish suited Carlos’ characteristics and he had been there this week studying the climb. These types of victories are to be enjoyed, but the entire team has to remember to keep its feet firmly on the ground."