"Our strategy was to get into the breakaway, so when I saw a rider attack I followed him immediately."

Those were the words of Lieuwe Westra after stage three at Vuelta al País Vasco. Westra and three others riders escaped from the bunch after only 5 km from the start and stayed away for more than 160 km.

Westra left his breakaway companions and made the last 30 km alone before being taken up by the pursuers with just 3 km to go.

"Today I had the job to be in the break because I am not strong enough for a good result. With four riders, we had to go full gas and I dropped them 70km from the finish. That seemed a little early. 37km from the end, I attacked again, but eventually I missed a minute to make it to the finish. I have often finished it off in such a way but this was the best possible. The team and I are happy."

Westra uses the race to prepare for Roubaix.

"That's why I am still doubting whether I will do the time trial on Satuday. I will probably skip it. I want to perfom in Roubaix and especially in the Amstel Gold Race."

Michele Scarponi finished sixth with a 7 seconds gap from the stage winner Joaquim Rodriguez of Spain. Scarponi is now seventh in general classification 7 seconds behind the new leader Sergio Luis Henao of Colombia.