Samu pleased despite narrow loss

Samu remained upbeat despite being denied the all-important win at the line yesterday. "I'm pleased with my ride today", he started by saying. "I've worked a lot be in top shape for this race, and today's ride makes me optimistic facing the remaining stages, which are many. It was the first real test in the mountains, and I responded with strength and ambition. Perhaps I started the sprint a little too soon, but at that time it seemed the best thing to do. I'm now ninth overall and have taken some seconds out of the other GC candidates, except for Andy who was superb".