“The gaps are still narrow”

Joaquim RodriguezCurrently holding a one second lead over Team Sky’s Chris Froome in the general classification, Joaquim Rodriguez has expressed surprise to be in red so soon in the race. He is pleased to be at the top of the standings, but said that taking over at the top doesn’t quite make up for the tactical error of easing up before the line on stage three and enabling Alejandro Valverde to slip past.

“I didn’t expect to take the jersey,” he admitted after the finish. “Obviously I’m happy, but I’d rather have won yesterday’s [Monday’s] stage.”

Rodriguez took over after previous leader Valverde came down in a crash and, with several teams riding hard at the front, was unable to get back on terms before the line.

While the Giro d’Italia runner-up is pleased to be back in the red Vuelta leader’s jersey he wore in 2010 en route to fourth overall in the race, he said that he’s taking nothing for granted at this early stage.

“Obviously this doesn’t change anything: this first position gives me strong motivation in order to achieve my goal, which is a good position in final classification,” he said, “But the gaps are still very narrow and anything can happen.”

Apart from his one second difference to Froome, he has just five seconds in hand over 2008 race winner Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank Tinkoff Bank) and a further four seconds over Rabobank duo Bauke Mollema and Robert Gesink.

Rigoberto Uran Uran (Sky Procycling), Daniel Moreno (Katusha) and Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) are between eleven and 24 seconds back, and therefore also within striking distance.

Today’s stage to Logrono is fast and flat, and shouldn’t have a big effect on the general classification. However with time bonuses up for grabs, Rodriguez will have to be attentive.