Daniel Moreno is usually in excellent condition at the Vuelta a Espana and this year it seems that he is again reaching his best form for his home grand tour. Today he finished off perfect Katusha teamwork by taking second in the puncheur finish on stage 1 of the Vuelta a Burgos.

It was an almost perfect stage for Team Katusha in the Tour of Burgos. Dani Moreno came out of a rest period in optimal shape. His last race was the Dauphiné in June. His return in the peloton brought him a second spot in Stage 1 of the Tour of Burgos. After 143 km the victory went to Juan José Lobato (Movistar) ahead of Moreno. Third was Thomas Damuseau (Giant-Shimano) three seconds behind. The race ended with a 1 km mountaintop finish.

"I had really good legs and just when I wanted to accelerate and place my final attack, Lobato did the same on the other side of the corner," he said. "I was boxed in for a second, had to brake not to land in the fences and could not make it up again.

"Bad luck but on the other hand I feel happy that I rediscovered my good legs after such a long break. Last year I did the same and I had a good end of the season. Let’s hope for the same now."

Team Katusha did a nice job in chasing Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) and Javier Aramendia (Caja Rural) who broke away in the final kilometers.

"The whole team worked so well for me," Moreno said. "I am happy. With one kilometer to go, at the bottom of the final climb to Mirador del Castillo, it was Alexander Kolobnev who pulled hard for me. I cannot complain about the support of my teammates.

"No victory but it is a good sign for us that Dani came out in a good shape after his rest period. This promises a lot for the coming days and the Tour of Spain," said team director José Azevedo.

Tomorrow’s stage 2 brings the riders from Briviesca to Villadiego (152 km).