On this fourth day of the Vuelta the peloton headed from Estepona to Vejer de la Frontera. The riders had to cover 209.4 kilometres in a stage that could have been a sprint stage. But that wasn’t the case because the final kilometres were very tough.

Valverde was the fastest in the narrow streets of the finish town, Sagan got second and Moreno third. Tosh Van der Sande was the first to attack on the steep uphill roads, but the peloton reeled him in. Bart De Clercq finished at 41” seconds and is 23rd on GC. Chaves keeps the red jersey.

“At first sight this was a flat stage, but the course is always a bit hilly here in Spain. It was definitely a tough stage, 210 kilometres in such hot weather is hard. I felt good in the final kilometres so I attacked. But the uphill parts appeared to be steeper than indicated in the roadbook and on the internet, so I was caught quickly. I have a good feeling in my legs and I want to show myself in this Vuelta. Maybe there will come an opportunity to try something nice,” Tosh Van der Sande told.

"I attacked from the bottom of the last climb to anticipate because my legs were not so good. This finale was too hard for me but for Jelle Vanendert, it was good. I want to finish the Vuelta and I'm dreaming of winning a stage cowing it will be very difficult. But I'll try again."