Nairo Quintana came into the Volta a Catalunya with doubts after he had been forced to take antibiotics to recover from a flu. Today he proved that he had recovered well when he finished 3rd in the first mountain stage and he was pleased to have seen who is going well ahead of tomorrow's queen stage.

It was an equalled, short battle for the main GC contenders on day three of the 2014 Volta a Catalunya, the first mountainous round of the 94th edition over 163 kilometers starting at Banyoles and finishing atop La Molina (Cat-1). Local hero Joaquim Rodriguez took the win in front of countryman Alberto Contador and Movistar Team's Nairo Quintana, performing well again after several days through a flu he contracted prior to the Catalan race, while doing a recon of some of the key stages in next May's Giro d'Italia.

The Colombian found full support all day from a notable Movistar Team, which took responsibility into the main field through the day's most demanding climb, La Creueta (HC), to limit gaps with the six-man early breakaway. Kevin Reza (EUC) was the last man caught, already into the ending climb, after Moreno and Castroviejo did a notable work in the run-in, followed by Plaza and an excellent Igor Antón.

The Basque climber strung out the group in the hardest slopes, warming up the race before the attack by Chris Froome. The Kenyan-born Brit was responded by Contador and Quintana before the counter by Rodríguez, who raised his arms victorious with 5secs over Contador and 9" on the telephone squad's leader, now sitting in 3rd overall.

Following a short, yet intense day in the mountains, Thursday's ride will bring even more demanding roads for all riders, with 166km between Alp and the HC ascent towards Vallter 2000, where Quintana claimed honours in 2013.

"I'm a little tired, the last part was very hard," he told BiciCiclismo. "It was impossible to take the wheel of Purito who has a very explosive finish.

"The truth is that I have not recovered fully from the flu. I hope it's a good day for me tomorrow.

"We've seen who are the main favourites. The important thing will be sticking to them and see where we can get. It will be a beautiful day, such good memories from last year". 

Before heading into the Setcases climb, a long chain awaits with Toses (Cat-1), Canes (Cat-2), Oix (Cat-2) and Rocabruna (Cat-1.)

You can read our preview of the fourth stage here and follow our live coverage at 15.15 CET on CyclingQuotes.com/live.