"We will try and defend the lead to the end" - Isaac del Toro confident he can defend the GC lead at Vuelta a Asturias

It's not so long ago Isaac del Toro grabbed his first professional victory with a surprising late attack at Tour Down Under. Now, three months later, the 20-year-old Mexican's triumph at Vuelta a Asturias felt almost like a formality. And that's exactly what we recieved from UAE Team Emirates with Rafal Majka completing a 1-2 in the group more than a minute behind Del Toro.

"I had really good sensations today and the team believed in me and gave me the opportunity to go for the win. When I attacked I knew I had Majka covering the attacks behind so that was a big plus and shows the strength of our team and how well we ride together. I'm really happy with the victory and we will try and defend the lead to the end," Del Toro said in press release.

After a brutal opening stage with nearly four thousand vertical meters, tomorrow will be a slightly easier stage from Ribera de Arriba to Ribadesella with most of the climbing concentrated in the middle of a 200km stage.