Joaquim Rodriguez was the big favourite to win the first mountain stage of the Vuelta a Espana as the steep finishing climb suited him perfectly. However, his trademark attack didn't have its usual effect and the Spaniard writes it down to the hot conditions that took the sting out of his legs.

Thursday’s stage 6 in la Vuelta a España brought the first of 8 uphill finishes in the Spanish tour and a chance for Team Katusha’s Joaquim Rodriguez to test his legs in this year’s race.

"It was a very hot day. The team did great job for me today. In general I didn’t feel bad during the day and I like climbs like this. But in the final climb I suffered a little from the heat. I tried to attack with 600 meters to go, but could not get enough gap. Maybe I had to go a little bit later, but in that moment I felt good and I decided to try. So it was first test in the mountains. Hopefully the next days will not be as hot," said Team Katusha leader Joaquim Rodriguez.

Stage 6 at 167,7 km in length featured the 4,6 km finishing climb to La Zubia. With maximum gradients of 13%, the general classification riders all came to the front on the short, punchy climb with “Purito” the first to attack at 600 meters to go. Initially only Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) was able to respond but by the 300 m mark Chris Froome (Sky) and Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) had joined them at the front, with Valverde able to sprint away and claim his eighth career win in his home tour. Froome and Contador filled out the podium with Rodriguez in fifth at 8-seconds off the winning time of 4:35.27.

Valverde took over the race lead with 15-seconds to his teammate Nairo Quintana. Contador is third on GC at 18-seconds. Rodriguez currently holds the sixth spot on the classification at 45-seconds.

"I think it was good test for us in the first mountain stage. We knew today’s stage would suit “Purito” so the whole team worked well for him. With 40 km to go we went in front to pull the peloton to control the race and to chase the break. Closer to the finish we moved in front with “Purito” to provide him a good position among the leaders. He attacked with 500-600 meters and it was a very strong attack, but finally we did not win. Anyway it was important day for us and more to come," said sports director José Azevedo.

Friday brings the end of the first full week of racing in the 2014 Vuelta a España with stage 7. At 169 km the stage begins in Alhendín and ends in Alcaudete.