Samuel Sanchez has won Vuelta a Espana time trials in the past but in the last few years he has been unable to find his best legs in the individual discipline. Today he returned to his best when he was a surprising 5th in stage 10.

BMC Racing Team's Samuel Sánchez finished fifth in Tuesday's Stage 10 individual time trial and made a big move up the overall standings at the Vuelta a España while teammate Cadel Evans finished sixth. Sánchez was 48 seconds off the winning time of world time trial champion Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) to climb from 13th to seventh in the overall standings.

The 2008 Olympic road race champion and two-time podium placer at the Vuelta said he was inspired by the presence of past Euskaltel-Euskadi manager Igor Gonzales de Galdeano, who followed him in the BMC Racing Team car.

"I immediately had good feelings today and the team was kind enough to host him (Galdeano), which pushed me emotionally," Sánchez said. "For sure, my performance came from my heart and my legs. But I have to say that from the car, (BMC Racing Team Sport Director) Valerio Piva managed my time trial the best, telling me every single turn and the right rhythm." 

Martin's teammate, Rigoberto Uran, finished second in the 36.7-kilometer race, 15 seconds back, while Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) was third, a further three seconds behind.

Sánchez was third-fastest overall at the first intermediate time check (11.2 km), fourth-fastest at the second (30.0 km) and was only nine seconds off the time of new race leader Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) by the finish. Contador leads Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) by 27 seconds, with Uran in third, at 59 seconds. Sánchez is 1:41 back and one of only six riders within two minutes of Contador with 11 stages remaining in the three-week race.

"The Vuelta is really long again," Sánchez said. "Today we did a good step up and tomorrow I hope to make another one. We will see, day-by-day." 

Past race leader Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) crashed on the descent of the climb that comprised the first third of the course and fell to 11th overall, 3:25 back.

"I was sorry to hear about Quintana's crash," Sánchez said. "I also had some risky moments in a few of the corners. You always have to stay focused in a time trial like that." 

Evans started slowly but finished fast. The past world road champion and Tour de France winner was 13th at the first time check and seventh at the second to finish one second behind Sánchez. Piva said having six riders in the top 35 in the race against the clock was a good sign after the race's first rest day.

"I am very happy with all of our performances today," he said. "Cadel is a specialist, but Samuel was unbelievably strong as well. He was a little bit slow the last five kilometers, but I think he dug deep to do his best time trial. He was only nine seconds behind Contador, with all the other top favorites behind."

With another mountain-top finish to come on Wednesday, Piva said he hopes to keep the momentum going. 

"We are back in the mountains and will fight to do our best and try to have the best place at the end," he said.