Going into the stage 8th overall, defending champion Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) disappointed in today's time trial and ended the race outside the top 10 in 15th position. With 3 hard mountain stages in his legs, the former Olympic champion attributed his performance to a lack of recovery.

When Samuel Sanchez won last year's edition of his home race the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, the triumph was primarily based on a dominating time trial victory on the last day of racing. On a similar course, he was expected to perform well in today's stage but a 48th place did not live up to expectations.

After having been a key protagonist in Friday's very hard stage, Sanchez felt that he had not recovered from the previous day's huge efforts.

"The time trial was very demanding, very twisty and very technical," he said. "You were not allowed any respite. You had to measure your performance at all times to set a good time. The last three stages have been very hard - both because of the course and because of the cold and rain - so this last day has become even more decisive. Probably I paid for my efforts yesterday, and I did not set a good time."

As opposed to last year, Sanchez' main focus this year is the Giro d'Italia. His preparations did not allow him to enter his home race in peak condition, and he knew all the time that it would be difficult to compete with the best. Instead, he was happy to see his form progressing ahead of his big objective.

"Last year I arrived at my best and fulfilled a dream: to win this race. My preparation this year is aimed at Giro and I said from the beginning that I was not going for the GC. I know that I have to be competetive in a major three-week tour later this season, and I have time on my side. I fought for the victory in the queen stage on Friday and I can see a nice progression ahead of the Giro. I am satisfied with my work."

Sanchez will now recover from his efforts before he decides whether he will participate in any of the Ardennes classics.

"The first thing is to recover from this week's efforts which have been quite heavy," he said. "Then I will evaluate my condition and decide on my program to start the Giro in peak condition. It is very likely that I will participate in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege."

Euskaltel's co-captain Igor Anton abandoned during yesterday's stage, and the Basque team will be disappointed to fail to play a major role in its home race.