After chaos and over-the-limit maneuvers marked Sunday's racing in the Vuelta a España, the Movistar Team was forced to keep full attention - yet left the day unscathed - during stage three, another short ride - 158.4km from Mijas to Málaga - which Tinkoff controlled to fruition as Peter Sagan (TCS) broke a long Grand Tour drought with a convincing sprint.

None of the riders directed by Arrieta and Garcia Acosta missed any turns, with sprinter José Joaquín Rojas featuring prominently in the finale. 

“These days we have to do everything we can to set up Nairo and Alejandro, to take care of them so they don't have any troubles, and let them loose with 2km to go after everything's under safety. My role in this Vuelta is nothing but that - we'll have to skip the sprints this time. For the time being, all's right as they remain in perfect condition."

Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde stay in 6th and 7th overall before Tuesday's stage four towards Vejer de la Frontera brings “a more complicated finish, where we will try not to lose any time," as the Spanish road race champion explained. A 1.3km slope over 10% gradient will clear up the field of favourites before a flat finish in Vejer de la Frontera, a serious 209.6km to be completed first.