Alejandro Valverde, fifth in the top of the Sierra de la Pandera, increased the gap to second place overall, Dutchman Robert Gesink, now advanced by 31 seconds.
"The Rise of the Pandera has been very explosive.
I spent some time a little difficult due largely to the cold and rain when Gesink started with a very fast pace.
I decided to go at my own pace, to a good start and go up with confidence because he saw that there was very little difference.
Me is getting closer and closer and finally I'm the one that took a few seconds Gesink.
"
"There is more difference with the second but come across a little Samuel Sanchez and Ezequiel Mosquera while Cadel Evans and Ivan Basso lost time."
"Out of this triptych Andalusian yellow, with three mountain stages so hard, is very important for the final victory in Madrid.
We have spent 70% of the Tour but we must not forget that a week is back, with some very dangerous stage and of course the penultimate lap of Toledo on race day. "
"I think from now the most important thing will be teamwork and be able to have a great team, so I very quietly."
Source: Agencias