Samuel Sanchez has gone in the Vuelta a Espana as the designated BMC leader and today he faced a very nervous first road stage of the race. The Spaniard was pleased to get safely through what he described as stressful finale.

The BMC Racing Team worked hard to keep its leaders out of danger Sunday on a hot and windy opening road stage of the Vuelta a España.

Sport Director Valerio Piva said without a pure sprinter to contest the expected bunch sprint, the BMC Racing Team concentrated on protecting team leaders Cadel Evans and Samuel Sánchez.

"From the beginning, the sidewind was strong," Piva said. "But the team was very attentive. The final was also dangerous with the wind in the last 10 kilometers . But everyone was helping our leaders and bringing them into good position."

Sánchez called it "a very stressful final."

"But the team protected me well in the final kilometers, especially Manuel Quinziato and Larry Warbasse," he said. "Tomorrow is a very special final with a small climb. I know the team will have to work to keep me in good position."

Sánchez was the BMC Racing Team's best finisher, in 22nd place, as Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ.fr) took the win ahead of John Degenkolb (Team Giant-Shimano) and Roberto Ferrari (Lampre-Merida). Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) assumed the overall lead from his teammate, Jonathan Castroviejo.