Astana’s two Grand Tour stars Fabio Aru and Vincenzo Nibali have both said they have no issue working together as they both lead Astana in the Vuelta a Espana.
"Fabio has prepared this race well and I think he could be the leader. I'll have the support of the team too, and if it turns out that way, I could work for him, certainly," Nibali said, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. "These are things that are decided on the road. I've raced with [Ivan] Basso in the past. Often you're stronger as a pair than you are alone."
Mikel Landa will also want to play a big role in the race after taking two stages and finishing third in the Giro after helping Aru to two wins and second overall. Aru says that despite Landa being unhappy about having to wait to help him at the Giro, there is no bad blood between the two.
"There's respect between us. We're a group, a real team, and there's Landa too," Aru said. "A lot was said at the Giro, but there were no problems between me and him, and we achieved the best we could. The status of leader doesn't count for much."
Nibali also spoke about 2016, where he wants to lead in the Giro, meaning Aru may get to ride his first ever Tour.
"Fabio's developed quickly, he's very strong, but for another year at least, we'll be teammates," Nibali said. "Our programmes for 2016 haven't been decided yet. For instance, I'd like to go back to the Giro, but I don't know yet if that will be the case."
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