Amets Txurruka put his usual aggressive riding style on show when he launched a strong attack on the first climb in stage 4 of the Vuelta a Espana. The attempt served the purpose of defending the mountains jersey of his teammate Luis Mas.

Amets Txurruka is known as one of the most aggressive riders in the peloton and today he launched his first attack in the Vuelta a Espana when he accelerated on the first climb of stage four. He bridged the gap to Jimmy Engoulvent from the early escape but was brought back during the run-in to the final climb.

Txurruka knew that it would be hard to stay away to the finish and the break mainly served the purpose of picking up points to protect the KOM lead of his teammate Luis Mas.

“When I saw that the breakaway with my team-mate Aramendia was going to be caught, I attacked in the climb to protect the polka dot jersey that Lluis Mas has since yesterday," he said. "But it was impossible to stay away. I knew it.

"I tried to see if someone would join me so that we could move forward but we needed to work together and there was no. First we were represented with Aramendia, then I tried my hand. Maybe I should have waited to the next climb. One day we will be on the podium as a reward for out hard work.

"Caja Rural is an aggressive team at the Vuelta. We’ll try to break away again tomorrow and every day we can. Alternatively, we’ll help Luis Leon Sanchez in some finales adapted to his characteristics.”

Earlier in the stage Javier Aramendia had been part of the early break.

"Again we were part of the action," he said. "The feeling was better then in the previous stages but at no time did we have any chance. On the climb I was alone with the Europcar rider (Engoulvent) and at the summit we were almost caught. I saw that they were getting close and sat up. Maybe we could have come all the way if I had stayed with Txurruka and Engoulvent."