Joaquím Rodriguez (Katusha) finally got his stage win in the Vuelta a España when the Spaniard launched one of his trademark accelerations one kilometre from the top of the Alto del Naranco. Nobody was able to catch the Katusha captain while Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) lost ground in the hectic finale, handing over the red jersey to Chris Horner (Radioshack) on the eve of the Angliru stage.

“Today I'm really happy,” said Rodriguez, “because finally I took the stage win. The whole team was great: they worked from the first km to the end because they knew I could win. We planned to attack in the last climb. I didn't know it very well, but the Sport Directors helped me and gave me the right information. As I saw the last km [sign], I attacked. It was very hard, but I did my best in order to win the stage. I'm really happy. I'm an ambitious rider, and I strongly wanted this victory that gives me strong motivations. Tomorrow we have the last mountain stage, which will be crucial for general classification: Angliru is much harder than today's climb, so everything can happen. Every climber would love to win tomorrow, it's a prestigious stage and that's why I hope to be in this shape and fight for the victory. Today I got closer to the podium, which is my final goal for this Vuelta. The team and I will fight until the last metre in order to get the best possible result. If I think I can still fight for general classification? It's very hard, but Angliru is a terrible mountain, we are all very tired after such a tough competition, so everything can happen.”

Rodriguez’ joy was shared by his team mate Daniel Moreno.

“Our plan was to win the stage with Purito,” said Moreno “and we did our best in order to achieve it. When he attacked, I tried to follow his rivals in order for them not to catch him: but actually I realized that nobody could. I'm glad with my podium, but actually it was more important to take the time bonus, and don't leave it to the other general classification riders, because now every second counts. I'm really happy for Joaquím: he deserved this victory and we will fight until the last metre for him to take the best possible result.”

Rodriguez trails new race leader Chris Horner (RadioShack-Leopard) by 1'57" before Saturday's penultimate stage.