Team Sky again showed their strength in number when their famous train whittled down the peloton on the climb to the finish in today's first stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia. However, the team was beaten by a superior Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and the Brits admit that the stage was perfectly suited to their big rival.

Team Sky showed their collective strength on stage one at Ruta del Sol as Richie Porte moved up to second place overall. Heading into the closing stages, the team hit the front and six riders produced a concerted attack which saw the peloton thin out significantly before the final climb in Jaén.

Edvald Boasson Hagen was the first to take it up with 8.5 kilometres to go, upping the pace before Vasil Kiryienka and Pete Kennaugh began to distance a number of Porte’s key rivals. Kennaugh’s dig on a steep section of the Alto Castillo de Santa Catalina provided a launchpad for Geraint Thomas, whose efforts ensured that just nine riders remained in the lead group heading under the flamme rouge.

On the steep final kick there was no stopping race leader Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) though, who went clear to the tune of four seconds to win his second stage in as many days. That saw the Spaniard open up a 19-second lead over Porte, who ran fourth on the day with Bauke Mollema (Belkin) and Davide Rebellin (CCC Polsat) stealing ahead to round out the podium.

After the stage Sports Director Dario Cioni was full of praise for the team's performance and the unity shown out on the road.

“The team was amazing again today," he said. "We knew from this morning that it wasn’t the ideal stage for us – but it was the ideal stage for Valverde.

“The break went quite easily at the beginning and everyone was happy with that situation. The team sat together at the front around Richie as a unit. Brad (Wiggins) was up there leading the group which was nice.

“We had spoken before that if we had numbers coming into the final we would look to take it up coming up that last non-categorised climb. The goal was to put Richie in the ideal position, more not to lose time than to really gain it on Valverde. Everyone really committed and did a good job. Having seven guys in the first group with 8km to go was impressive."

Friday stage two looks set to be decisive in the GC, and more tough climbs provide a chance for the team to take the fight to the red jersey.

"Valverde has shown that he might be the strongest rider in this race," Cioni continued. "Richie did really well to be up there fighting for the stage win. Valverde got a few seconds but we’re still in the game and tomorrow should be the day that sorts the GC out.”

You can read our preview of the race here.