Ruben Pérez second at Cavadonga

Rubén Pérez grabbed a somewhat sensational second place atop the mythical and famed Lagos de Cavadonga climb in today's 15th stage of the Vuelta a España.

The ever-aggressive all-rounder formed part of the day's big break that was allowed to divide the stage spoils between them, and Caja Rural's Antonio Piedra jumped off the front from a long way out to claim an extraordinary win for the popular home team.

Contador, Rodríguez and Valverde embarked on their usual back-and-forth attacking inside the last seven clicks - but there was as anticipated no way to separate them. Antón, Verdugo and Txurruka were aggressive throughout in an attempt to shepherd the former up the overall standings, but were only partially successful as Antón came in 20 seconds or so down on the overall players, and 12 ahead of his main challengers for a top five overall, but stayed tenth on GC.

"We were very active and the feelings were good", Antón said in a press release. "Amets and Gorka did a great job, and I think jumping early was a successful move. It's a shame I didn't manage to stay with Purito, Contador and Valverde's group, but (at least) we were towards the front of the race. I only hope I won't have to pay for today's efforts tomorrow (Monday). It's been a couple of tough days and one should note the wear tomorrow. We'll see how the legs respond."

Pérez, who had to settle for another second place, had mixed feelings about the stage.

"I'm happy, but it pains me that I wasn't able to win the stage. There were a series of attacks and Piedra came up with the right one. No one responded, he got a gap and he won. At the end I was able to beat my breakaway companions (and grab second place). I'm content with the performance, but it's annoying having missed out on the chance to grab a stage like this on to the Lagos de Covadonga".

As for the other riders on the team, Gorka Verdugo rose to 13th overall and looks a decent bet for a top ten in Madrid. Young hope Mikel Landa is yet to show any signs of life whatsoever, coming in 20 minutes down on the Covadonga, and now lies a very distant 86th on GC. Romain Sicard, who's performed respectably so far in his first three-week race, had one of his worst days so far, coming in alongside Landa. Overall he's 44th.

Monday's stage to the previously untested Cuitu Negro would have suited an Antón in top form, but as it stands it's likely to be yet another Rodríguez - Contador - Valverde showdown.

Take an in-depth look at the asphalted ski station here, including Samuel Sánchez's take on it.

Results stage 15 (full results here):

• (1, Antonio Piedra (Caja Rural), 5:01:23)
• 2, Rubén Pérez, 2:02
• 15, Igor Antón, 9:48
• 25, Gorka Verdugo, 10:04
• 38, Amets Txurruka, 12:11
• 69, Iván Velasco, 19:18
• 70, Mikel Astarloza, s.t.
• 71, Juan José Oroz, s.t.
• 87, Mikel Landa, 21:30
• 96, Romain Sicard, s.t.

General classification:

• (1, Joaquín Rodríguez (Katusha), 58:17:21)
• 10, Igor Antón, 7:39
• 13, Gorka Verdugo, 10:21
• 25, Amets Txurruka, 18:42
• 36, Iván Velasco, 33:17
• 40, Mikel Astarloza, 42:14
• 41, Juan José Oroz, 44:09
• 44, Romain Sicard, 48:26
• 58, Rubén Pérez, 1:02:56
• 86, Mikel Landa, 1:24:23

Photo: www.fundacioneuskadi.com