Colombia-Coldeportes’ Miguel Angel Rubiano showed off on the attack in Vuelta a Andalucia-Ruta del Sol, stage 3,Motril-Alto de Haza Llanas, featuring the first demanding uphill finish of the Spanish race. The former Colombian National Champion successfully completed a 10 km solo chase to bridge back on the day’s breakaway attempt, that went on up to the foot on the final climb, after a 100 km action.

The final climb was the scenario of Alberto Contador’s dominating display. Tinkoff-Saxo’s Spaniard made his team work on the early slopes, and then unleashed a solitary action, irresistible for anybody else. Contador won with a 19 second gap on Chris Froome (Team Sky) and 1.39 on Frenchman Romain Bardet (Ag2r-La Mondiale), also reinforcing his overall lead.

“When I saw there were 9 strong men at the front, I tried to react on my own and bridge back, even though I realized the breakaway had a tough job ahead of it," Rubiano told afterwards. “I managed to join them after some kilometres of chase, but Tinkoff-Saxo really never gave us a chance, leaving so little space and closing on us with still 17 km to go. It was worth trying, though.”

After enjoying sunny weather in the early days, light snowing welcomed the riders on the Sierra Nevada for the final ascent, tough and selective since the early slopes. After the first acceleration by Tinkoff-Saxo riders, a group of about 10 riders remained at the front, including Rodolfo Torres. After Contador’s move, Chris Froome launched himself on the solo chase, while Torres faltered in the final kilometres of the climb.

“I was feeling good, but maybe overextended myself a little in the first part of the climb and paid for it later," he said. "But I feel my legs spinning good. And tomorrow, we try again.”

The best for Team Colombia-Coldeportes on the finishing line was Alex Cano, 34th at 4.39, still suffering of back pain as a consequence of Wednesday’s crash. Just behind him closed Edward Diaz, still the best Colombia-Coldeportes athlete in the GC , 23rd and 6.51 behind dominating Contador.

Tomorrow the fourth stage, and another uphill finish, is in store: Maracena-Alto de Las Allanadas, 200 km of nervous route until the final 5km climb to the line. The stage will provide another valuable opportunity  for the Escarabajos, but watch out for long-run attempts as well.