Stevie Williams is feeling positive after seeing his Grand Tour debut end with a knee problem.

The 24-year-old from Aberystwyth had to abandon La Vuelta a Espana after 10 stages on Saturday.

Williams had knee surgery last November which has restricted the number of days he has raced.

“I am very disappointed not to finish the Vuelta, but I feel very privileged to begin the race,” said the Team Bahrain McLaren rider.

“To see where I came from in the last year—going from less than 15 race days in the last two years to 10 days in a row.

“I am pleased, and I am taking a lot of positive from this going into the offseason.

“I am over the moon already, and the only thing I can say is only positive.”

Williams, who was playing a support role in the team, was lying in 155th spot after 10 of the scheduled 18 stages.

And his team say they are delighted with Williams’ progress given his lack of racing after the surgery on a knee issue.

Sports Director Gorazd Štangelj said: “Stevie worked hard to return to races after his injury.

“This was the first time he rode a race longer than six days. We are happy with his progress since returning from injury, and he did more than we could expect.”

Team-mate and fellow Welsh rider Scott Davies is 116th after stage 11 in Spain.