CYCLING:IRISH PRO Nicolas Roche heads into today's rest day in the Vuelta a España sitting in an excellent eighth place overall, one minute 19 seconds behind the race leader Igor Anton (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and just four seconds off sixth place.

He rode strongly on the two mountain stages over the weekend. The 26-year-old finished 15th on Saturday’s stage eight to Xorret del Catí, crossing the line two minutes behind the solo victor David Moncoutie (Cofidis). He had been with the favourites on the climb but slipped back near the top, eventually conceding 31 seconds to Tour de France stage winner Joaquin Rodriguez (Team Katusha), Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Doimo) and Igor Anton (Euskaltel-Euskadi).

The strong ride moved him from 11th to eight in the general classification.

Race leader Philippe Gilbert cracked on the day’s final climb and lost time, with his red jersey passing to the shoulders of Anton.

Yesterday’s lumpy 187.7 kilometre leg to Alcoi was marked by a large breakaway group, out of which Spaniard David Lopez (Caisse d’Epargne) attacked with four others, then soloed clear four kilometres from the finish.

He beat Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas-Doimo) by six seconds, while Roche finished with the best of the race contenders seven minutes and two seconds behind.

The group was sprinting for 15th place, and Roche picked up 17th.

He remains in that eighth position overall. Fellow Irishman Philip Deignan was 92nd on the stage and is now 123rd in the general classification.

He had a difficult opening week due to the effects of a virus which has affected much of his season.

However he is showing some signs of recovery, and will hope to come back stronger after today’s rest day.