On the second rest, Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) sits in 4th on GC at the Vuelta a Espana and admits that he has to attack and gain time if he wants to realize his dream of winning a grand tour. However, he feels confident that the final week offers terrain that is suitable to his characteristics.

Joaquim Rodriguez entered this year's Vuelta a Espana with big hopes that he would finally win a grand tour. At the end of the first two weeks, he finds himself with 2.29 to make up on race leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and he has himself admitted that he had expected to be better in the first part of the race.

Having almost admitted defeat, yesterday's stage turned things around. Nibali did not only show weakness, Rodriguez was able to drop all of his rivals with one of his trademark attacks.

With renewed confidence, he is now ready to attack in the final week.

"it is the third week, the hardest and everything we have gone through, adds up, Rodriguez said on his rest day press conference according to Biciclismo. "Only Nibali doesn't need to take risks and so anything can happen."

"I have to attack to gain time but also defend myself against others," he added. "Others may take advantage of my attacks to approach the red jersey. Valverde is in a privileged position . Let's see what happens, maybe I don't attack. I have to be consistent. Except Horner, all have had a bad day. "

The race enters the Asturian mountains in the third week with three difficult uphill finishes. Thursday's finish on Pena Cabarga offers the kind of short, steep ramps that suit Rodriguez well and he has won there in the past. Saturday's stage offers the final big showdown on the brutally steep Alto de l'Angliru.

Rodriguez is confident that the steep slopes suit him well.

 "Peña Cabarga and Angliru are very demanding, with ramps that are more suited to me," he said. "A weakness can make you lose a lot of time, like yesterday with Vincenzo, and they come in the third week. The Angliru is treacherous, not like Hazallanas or La Gallina, the distances are greater. I've always done well there and the truth is that I got better in the Pyrenees. I hope to continue like the last days and yesterday motivates. I hope it gives me the strength to overcome my competitors."

Racing resumes on Wednesday with a flat stage. Starting at 15.00 CEST you can follow that stage on CyclingQuotes.com/live.