Daniel Moreno (Katusha) has been a dominant figure in the first part of the Vuelta a Espana, and today he once again took the headlines when he crushed the opposition on the 27% climb in  Valdepeñas de Jaen.

“Of course I'm very happy about this win,” said Moreno, “and obviously about the fact that I took the red jersey. Today I talked with Purito [Joaquím Rodriguez] and we planned this strategy: I had to attack in the same place he did when he won in 2011. I did, and thanks to him and the whole team I managed to take this incredible result. Joaquím, Valverde and Nibali are still the favourite riders: the third week will be very tough and probably crucial for the general classification. I think I deserved this result. After the Tour de France I did a great work, we had a training camp in altitude in Andorra, we did a very hard job but it was worth it. I know it will be hard to keep this jersey. There are still plenty of stages, starting from tomorrow when the climbing will be suitable to the characteristics of Ivan Basso, since it's very long and regular. But we won't go crazy about that [losing the leader’s jersey]: if I manage to keep it, it will be great but things are going great until now for Katusha. I'm the leader and Purito has already recovered some of the time loss and is quickly moving up in the general classification. So we have to continue like this, and that's the most important thing.”

Rodriguez had nothing but praise for his team mate and new race leader.

“I'm very happy for Dani – said Purito – he's in an incredible shape right now. We're in a perfect position for the general classification. Today I had to follow Dani when he attacked, but the truth is I couldn't: in fact, nobody could.”

Moreno leads Roche (Saxo-Tinkoff) by one second on general classification.