Sánchez unshaken by time loss in Basque Country opener

Holding the title as arguably one of the best descenders in the peloton was of no help to Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) in the opening stage at Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco - Tour of the Basque Country. Sánchez lost five seconds to a number of the general classification hopefuls but suggests that the demanding six-stage race will decide the overall winner and not the small deficit he will take into Stage 2.