Australian climber Chris Harper finished seventh in the opening stage of the Vuelta a Andalucía (aka "Ruta del Sol") on Wednesday.

Harper was pleased with his performance, but a bit disappointed that he could not follow the final winning move by Fuglsang and Landa.

"I felt very good, especially on the climbs," the 25-year-old said on his team's website after the 173.9-km stage from Alhaurin de la Torre to Grasalema.

"I tried many times to accelerate, but I couldn't get away. I couldn't keep up with them before the top of the last climb and then I couldn't close the gap on the descent. It was a little disappointing because I think I could have gone a little bit better.

"The team supported Antoine (Tolhuc) and me well until the last climb. I personally expected more from last week's Tour de la Provence." I personally expected more from last week's Tour de la Provence because I expected a lot more. The next few days will be tough but I hope to maintain my position on GC."

Harper has had a busy start to the season, finishing 36th overall at last week's Tour de la Provence, competing in the Australian Championships, and making his World Tour debut with a new Dutch team at the Tour Down Under in his home town in January.

"We can't be satisfied with having two guys in the top 15," Jumbovisma sport director Arthur van Dongen said of Harper's seventh place and Tolhoek's 14th. "It was a very difficult stage with a lot of climbing. Chris rode well on the last climb, but just before the summit he got a little surprised and couldn't keep up with the first chase group.

"Antoine also stayed with the best group for a long time. The others finished the stage without problems and supported the two climbers well all day. It was a fair stage and everyone finished in their place. This result gives us a good perspective for the rest of the stage."