Astana had a successful day in the Vuelta a Espana as Fabio Aru only conceded a few seconds to the best riders. His teammate Mikel Landa showed growing condition by finished in the top 20 from the peloton after having climbed the brutally steep climb with the best.

“The last climbs was new this year," Mikel Landa said after stage 14 of Vuelta a Espana. "It’s just too hard for anything but pure power, it’s not a rhythmic transition."

Landa finished 23rd on the day, four minutes back from stagewinner Ryder Hesjedal of Canada. Teammate Fabio Aru moved up one position on General Classification – from 7th to 6th.

Sunday’s stage is more mountains – in fact mountain finishes will continue through stage 16. Aru is climbing strong and able to challenge the leaders on the road, his presence a clear factor in the daily race selections.

Landa races in support of his Italian teammate, and an eye cast towards stage 20 and his own opportunity.