The second week started with a sad note after the news of the death of Team Sky masseur Txema Gonzalez who contracted a bacterial infection that turned in to septicaemia. The team pulled out of the tour weakened already by three riders dropping out through illness.
Stage eight from Villena to Xorret del Catí saw the eighth different rider to win a stage in the 2010 Vuelta. David Moncoutie got in to the decisive breakaway of the day and was able to pull away on the final climb finishing almost one minute ahead of the forever bridesmaid Serafín Martinez. The Cofidis rider dedicated his victory to Gonzalez and Laurent Fignon, who died a couple of days earlier.
