Gustavo Cesar Veloso (W52) got safely through today's sprint stage and so defended the overall lead in the Vuelta a Burgos. He now just needs to survive the the time trial and the final flat stage to defend his title.

"There is still the time and the last stage," he said. "The road is there for everybody to take an opportunity. There can be crashes and splits. I do not feel like a winner yet. Only when passing the finish line in Lisbon with the yellow jersey will I be able to give a sigh of relief."