Joaquim Rodriguez responded to Alberto Contador's repeated attacks and even tried a few accelerations himself in today's stage of the Vuelta a Espana. The Spaniard was frustrated not to have gained more time on Chris Froome and felt that Contador's aggressive riding had destroyed his team's opportunity to distance the Brit.

Rain added to the drama of Sunday’s climbing stage as Team Katusha’s Joaquim Rodriguez continued his march toward the podium in stage 15, finishing third on the beyond category climb of Lagos de Covadonga. Attack after attack came in the final six kilometers of the 12 km climb, with Rodriguez responding to each one as well as initiating moves of his own. The result was a time gain of 15-seconds on the general classification. In addition, Team Katusha took over first place in the team classification and lead by almost 12-minutes.

“This is a very fast Vuelta," Rodriguez said. "Every day we arrive to the finish so tired that the attacks can’t be blistering. A few times, we [Katusha] have set the pace and every time they attacked us. I would have enjoyed a bit more collaboration to make sure I moved up to the podium. I would have like to go to tomorrow’s stage with a bit more of serenity and be able to race for the stage win. Maybe Contador wasn’t interested in riding at a steady pace. Alejandro [Valverde] knows his game. The stages on Thursday and Friday will suit him…

"I’m happy about gaining time in the GC. Of course I would have preferred to take more time on Froome so that I could be more relaxed in tomorrow’s stage, but the collaboration in the front was not ideal. I think we took our responsibilities. We were the only ones to pull and attack on Covadonga.  Each time Caruso or I attacked, Contador counter-attacked. I’m not sure what his interest was. 

"Valverde, Contador and I showed equal forces and we know each other very well. It was a hard fight.  Valverde was less active today but I understand that. These three days have been hard for him.  Thursday and Friday are his stages, yet even today he took back time from Contador. That was smart of him. I still feel good and my team is good. I remain confident and I’ll keep trying."

Toward the summit, race leader Alberto Contador continued his counter-attacks. But Rodriguez would have none of that, and along with Alejandro Valverde responded immediately to each effort, finally moving away from Contador at the top of the climb to gain a few seconds on him as well as draw even with Chris Froome on the general classification. Rodriquez holds fourth place.

Five riders went clear and held almost 11 minutes midway through the course but only eventual winner Przemyslaw Niemiec (Lampre) was able to stay clear for the stage win after just over four hours of riding on the 152,2 km stage. Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez were second and third at five seconds with Alberto Contador at 10 seconds and Fabio Aru and Chris Froome both at 17-seconds to round out the top five on the stage. 

Contador remains the race leader in the red jersey, 31-seconds ahead of Valverde and 1.20 in front of Froome and Rodriguez who are currently tied on time. 

Daniel Moreno and Caruso played important roles in today’s drama with Rodriguez sending his teammates up the road and using them as he needed to, showing the true strength of the Team Katusha. When Rodriguez suffered a flat tire, the teammates helped him move back up.

"My flat tire cost me some energy. I had to chase back quite a ways. I paid for that on the early part of Covadonga," added team leader Joaquim Rodriguez.

Stage 16 on Monday is the queen stage, or toughest day of climbing in this year’s tour of Spain. With everything still to play for and the final rest day following on Tuesday, look for more excitement and heated competition on the 161 km stage from San Martín del Rey Aurelio to La Farrapona-Lago de Somiedo as the overall contenders use every bit of their strength and strategy to shape the final podium. The stage includes 4 category one climbs.