198 riders took the start of stage 2 at Algeciras. José Aramendia (Caja Rural) attacked right after the flag off, followed by Valerio Conti (Lampre-Merida), Romain Hardy (Cofidis) who celebrated his 26th birthday on this 24th of August, Nathan Haas (Garmin-Sharp), Kristian Sbaragli and Jacques Janse van Rensburg (MTN-Qhubeka). Haas crested the summit of Alto del Cabrito (km 10) in first position and claimed the first polka dot jersey of the 69th Vuelta a España, after which he dropped back to the bunch, so did Sbaragli whose job was to lead Gerald Ciolek out in an eventual bunch gallop.
