Martínez: Nothing ventured, nothing gained

Egoi Martínez was in the first major break today in the second stage of the Vuelta a España. He desperately wanted the break to succeed and was even thinking about the leader's jersey. Martínez was happy with the day, despite coming short on both accounts.

"We left Granada with the intention to surprise and snatch the yellow jersey. We knew it would be difficult, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. The objective was to split the big group and take advantage of the two medium passes." Martínez was hoping the break would stay away until the finish or that at least Liquigas and Caisse d'Epargne would not be around in the final.

Things didn't go according to plan. "We were caught mid-way, but today's stage says much about the attitude of the team and the motivation we have." Martínez was realistic enough to acknowledge today's stage was a long shot for the Basque outfit. "We are conscious that we don't have that sort of rider for a finish like today, but Landaluze also tried in the final kilometres. If you wait for the final it is virtually impossible to get past Valverde or Rebellin."

Martínez personally is hoping to ride a good Vuelta, with his desire to racing having returned. For a while he was distracted and busy becoming a father earlier this summer. "Since the end of the Tour, I have not thought much about bicycling."