Alberto Contador managed to finish in the same time as the best riders in his first small test of the Vuelta a Espana. Admitting that lots of riders are still stronger than him, he was encouraged by his sensations.

Having come into the race with lots of uncertainty, Alberto Contador faced his first test in today's tricky stage 3 of the Vuelta a Espana. The Spaniard was the 16th and last rider on the ride side of a split in the finale, meaning that he finished in the same time as his main rivals.

The performance was an encouraging one for the 2012 winner of the race.

“The objective was to lose as little time as possible, and that’s what I managed to do. There are a lot of riders going better than me right now," he said. "We all used up a lot of energy. The heat was terrible, 40 degrees at some points.

“But I came through it well, even if I had to make a big effort compared to other riders who have got more race form. I went for it a little too early on the climb, and I maybe lacked a little bit of punch at the end.”

“[My injury] didn’t bother me at all in this heat. It’s only when it cools down after an effort that it hurts. I’ll go on taking it on day by day, but this was very encouraging. One day less, and I’m very pleased to have got through such a demanding one.”