This year's Vuelta continues to entertain, surprise and wow spectators and audiences. The peloton rolled through more spectacular Spanish countryside in the verdant north. Congratulations to Lilian Calmejane for pulling off his first stage win in a Grand Tour. He rode with great strength as well tactical nous, again highlighting the strength and depth of young talent emerging from France.
Movistar played a cool game today. Although they lost the red jersey, they seemed content to play it out for the long game. They're looking to take the red to Madrid rather than hustle over it in these early stages. Darwin Atapuma takes the honour of being race leader over Valverde by 29 seconds. He's one of three Colombians in the top five, along with Esteban Chaves and Nairo Quintana - surely one of the top nations in road cycling at the moment.
Tomorrow sees a much flatter stage, although there's a fair bit of uphill - this is the Vuelta after all. Could be a sprint finish but at the rate they've been going so far I'm placing my bets on another breakaway victory.