Webber, who battled with Button for more than half the race in Valencia, could finish only ninth as the Red Bulls struggled to find any pace on the stop-start street circuit and is now 20.5 points behind Button.

BBC: I must find form, admits Button

It was the start of a circuit that now covers the globe.

CNN: How women cracked tennis' glass ceiling

The stage got off to a cautious start around a twisting and frequently narrow circuit and it soon became apparent that the riders, spurred by Horrillo's crash, were on a go-slow in protest at what they perceived to be the dangerous nature of the course.

CNN: Cavendish takes stage after riders protest