Robert Wagner came close to a stage win in the seventh stage of the Vuelta a España yesterday.

The German Belkin Pro Cycling Team rider won the bunch sprint for third, but saw attackers Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) and Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing Team) hold on to a one-second lead at the line. Wagner had to settle for next, or rather third, best.

"I didn’t expect this when we did the local circuit for the first time,” Wagner explained. “I found it very difficult with all the roundabouts but I decided just to give it a go. In the last five hundred metres, I was lucky. I wasn’t in a good position but when the bunch lowered the pace for one moment, I was able to move up a few places. Eventually, I won the bunch kick but I didn’t win the stage. On one hand, I’m happy but on the other hand, I’m disappointed because the win wasn't out of my reach.”