Iban Mayo came into this Vuelta as a possible GC contender but lost time in the mountains, starting stage 10 back in 21st place, over 12 minutes adrift of the maillot oro. He gained a little time today but his fans must be scratching their heads in puzzlement and frustration as to his erratic form since 2003.
The Basque rider launched an attack on an uphill section in the final run in to the line, but wasn't able to distance the others.
"We were a lot in the breakaway a long time," he told Onda Cero. "I tried it [to get a gap] in the climb and also in the last little uphill. Ventoso followed my wheel and then things went wrong. It's clear I couldn't compete in the bunch sprint with my breakaway companions. It was a shame not to be able to finish off my attacks."
