Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) won stage three of the Volta a Catalunya to move into the overall race lead atop La Molina.
Chris Froome (Team Sky) attacked inside the final 500 metres, taking with him an elite group of Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Rodriguez.
But Froome, in his first race since winning the Tour of Oman, could not maintain the attack as Rodriguez kicked with a stunning acceleration.
Contador went with him, but Purito was simply unstoppable as he crossed the line solo, arms outstretched.
The race in detail
Six riders went up the road earlier in the day, with Michel Koch (Cannondale) joining the break for the second consecutive stage.
Rudy Molard (Cofidis), Andrey Zeits (Astana), Branislau Samoilau (CCC Polsat Polkawice) and Jack Bobridge (Belkin) joined him up the road, with the peloton happy to let them lead the way over the early part of the stage.
Their lead stretched to more than 10’30” at its maximum, but after leading the way over the hors categorie Alt de la Creueta it was soon brought back into check.
Team Sky were among the teams pulling hard, with reported weather conditions atop Vallter 2000 sparking concern as to whether stage four will go ahead as planned. If it is to be cancelled, or re-routed at least, it placed an added impetus onto the La Molina finish and the GC contenders made sure they did not miss out.
Strong winds battered the riders on the ascent of the Creueta, but it did not deter Bobridge who crested first to claim maximum King of the Mountains points and move into the lead in the classification.
Further back, Tinkoff-Saxo, Katusha, Movistar and Sky all had riders near the front with their respective GC contenders in mind.
A fearsome descending speed down La Molina ensured the escapees stayed out in front to gobble up the intermediate time bonuses – Koch moving into the lead of the sprints competition in the process – before the climb back up began.
Sky eased off for a time on the descent, leaving Tinkoff-Saxo to set the pace with Katusha’s Maxim Belkov lending a hand.
The effects of the cold on the riders was obvious as Reza struggled in the break to keep his muscles warm, while Rodriguez opted to cover all but his eyes in a bid to stay warm in the bunch.
Once they hit the lower plateau of La Molina, the race was already well on its way to coming back together with Koch and Bobridge the first riders to be swallowed up having sealed their respective jerseys.
Eventually Reza kicked on alone but his lone effort was ended by the Movistar-led bunch as they hit the steepest ramps of La Molina with just less than five kilometres remaining.
The Spanish team set a fast pace immediately after making the catch, with Quintana enjoying the company of four team-mates in front of him.
Contador and Rodriguez, by now stripped of his warm clothing, sat on the Colombian’s wheel with Froome not far behind.
The leading contenders were still all in the mix with three kilometres to go, as a large bunch – packed with elite climbers – led the way.
Pierre Rolland (Europcar) launched his attack with two kilometres to go which finally lit the race up, as Fuglsang caught him and moved into a small solo lead as the slopes eased.
Dani Moreno (Katusha) pulled a big shift to catch him however, prompting Froome to put the hurt on with his three big rivals in tow.
Rodriguez kicked next, taking Contador with him and the attack proved decisive, Purito putting distance into his compatriot to celebrate arms outstretched.
Contador crossed second, four seconds back, with Quintana and Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing) finishing just ahead of fifth-placed Froome.
Volta a Catalunya 2014: stage three – result
1) Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP) – Katusha – 4.50.55hrs
2) Alberto Contador (ESP) – Tinkoff-Saxo +5”
3) Nairo Quintana (COL) – Movistar +9”
4) Tejay van Garderen (USA) – BMC Racing +11”
5) Chris Froome (GBR) – Team Sky +13”
6) Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA) – Ag2r-La Mondiale +14”
7) Wilco Kelderman (NED) – Belkin – ST
8) Andrew Talansky (USA) – Garmin-Sharp
9) Romain Bardet (FRA) – Ag2r-La Mondiale
10) Przemylaw Niemiec (POL) – Lampre-Meride +20”
General Classification (provisional)
1) Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP) – Katusha
2) Alberto Contador (ESP) – Tinkoff-Saxo +9″
3) Nairo Quintana (COL) – Movistar +15″
