Today, on the Vuelta’s first rest day, the Spanish national press headlines focus on Denis Menchov, leader and winner in Ordino. Nevertheless, significant coverage is also given to the controversy surrounding Carlos Sastre. As, the official race newspaper, carries the headline: "The Vuelta to Siberia," in reference to the two leaders' Russian nationality. Former pro rider Santi Blanco commented the controversy about a possible deal between Leonardo Piepoli and Denis Menchov: "I know that Piepoli did not sell himself. 'I scratch your back and you scratch mine'. Leonardo is a great racer and a marvellous person". Marca announces: "Menchov, without so much as a hair out of place." The subtitle reads:"“Head and shoulders above the rest, he dominated this crucial stage." El Mundo Deportivo status: "Menchov wins in Arcalís." Sport carries the headline: “Menchov reinstalls himself as leader in Arcalís." It also highlights Sastre's disgust: "Piepoli’s helping the leader was simply disgraceful."

In the 2007 Vuelta there have been 16 withdrawals so far. The riders have also had to overcome bunch sprints in the first week, always the most dangerous, and up to three demanding mountain finishes at Lagos de Covadonga, Cerler and Arcalis. However, only 16 riders have chosen to withdraw. Many of them were due to serious crashes including those of Danielson, Claude, Fernández de La Puebla… At this point in the race in 2005, 30 riders had withdrawn, while in 2004 and 2003 there were 24 and 25 withdrawals, figures all larger than those in 2007. List of cyclists who have withdrawn from the 2007 Vuelta FREIRE, Oscar ESP RAB BRAJKOVIC, Janez SLO DSC MCLEOD, Ian RSA FDJ TIRALONGO, Paolo ITA LAM PEREIRO, Oscar ESP GCE MCGEE, Bradley AUS FDJ CHICCHI, Francesco ITA LIQ DURAN, Arkaitz ESP SDV ROESEMS, Bert BEL PRL FERNANDEZ DE LA PUEBLA, Alberto ESP SDV PAULINHO, Sergio POR DSC BERNAUDEAU, Giovanni FRA BTL PAURIOL, Rémy FRA C.A BERNUCCI, Lorenzo ITA TMO CLAUDE, Mathieu FRA BTL DANIELSON, Thomas USA DSC