Euskaltel strong in the mountains

Euskaltel showed their strength in the first of the Dauphiné's mountain stages today. Rubén got into the first break of the day, but were reeled back in. A group of 16 then got away, among them our very own Juanjo. This group eventually got to fight it out for the win, but Juanjo wasn't able to stay in there sadly. Back in the bunch Haimar attacked the favourites one kilometre from the top of the last climb. He attacked with force, but ultimately didn't get anywhere. But the team wasn'r finished there. On the descent Mikel tried his luck with a ferocious dig, but Valverde succeeded in neutralizing the attack. Eventually Haimar and Mikel came in with the favourites while Juanjo ended up a minute further back. Iñaki ended up 10 minutes in arrears, while Rubén finished 13:38 down. Samu decided to chill out in the gruppetto today, and got company in the form of Beñat and Jon. The three came in with a big group some 17 minutes down. GC after the 4th stage:

• 6th, Mikel Astarloza, 1:20
• 14th, Haimar Zubeldia, 3:12
• 52nd, Juan José Oroz, 6:41
• 76th, Iñaki Isasi, 12:18
• 84th, Samuel Sánchez, 13:57
• 91st, Rubén Pérez, 16:05
• 125th, Jon Bru, 23:11
• 136th, Beñat Albizuri, 41:08