For the second day in a row, Pierre Rolland (Europcar) was in the break at the Vuelta a Espana but the Frenchman had to settle for fifth.

“We quickly realized that we would be fighting for the stage win but like I said this morning I’m far from my best level and others were stronger than me. The last ascent was like climbing the Mur de Huy five times. I gave everything I had but  in cycling you must be at 100% if you want results and I’m far from being at 100%," he said.