Lobato - I'm happy for myself and the team

He's come close on a few occasions already, and on Saturday Juan José Lobato finally pulled it off.

After placing sixth in the Clásica de Almería and fourth in the Vuelta a La Rioja, the 24-year-old emerged victorious on the second stage of the Vuelta a Castilla y León to hand the team its second win of the year in two days.

"I'm very pleased with this win", he told team's website. "Victories always come at a good time, but I think that's especially true on this occasion. We've been doing things right, but the results have been missing. Now the results are starting to come, though, and I'm happy for the team. To win my first race in an orange jersey is special - I'm pleased for both myself and the team. My team-mates did an amazing job, so this one's for them. And for my family and my girlfriend of course. They're always supporting me. They deserve this".

Heading into the third and concluding leg on Sunday, Lobato and Urtasun are placed second and third respectively at two seconds from leader Francesco Lasca of Caja Rural. The final stage ends atop the Cervera de Pisuerga climb at the end of 183,1km lumpy ride, and it's a big unknown how much the race's 'queen-stage' will separate the riders. Getting either of the Euskaltel sprinters to the line in contention will undoubtedly be a big ask, but there's also the likes of Gorka Verdugo and Mikel Nieve in the team ranks.

"Álvaro González de Galdeano is the one who maps out the strategy, and I'll do whatever he tells me to do. Pablo Urtasun is in a great state of form. We're a very united group, and we'll work together to try and win the overall".