Gallery
Embracing the Victory
Make that two wins in a row for Mikel Landa (Astana). Admittedly there was a rest day inbetween, but that only makes the back to back mountain top solo wins all the more significant. Landa had spent the majority of the penultimate climb holding himself back in support of his team leader, Fabio Aru. However, Aru's valiant sufferfest left the wearer of the Maglia Blanco finishing almost three minutes behind his teammate. That time gap means that Landa moves ahead of his teammate into second overall. However, that second place is just over four minutes behind the incredible Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo). Contador his so far ahead of Landa, that he could afford to be generous to Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL Jumbo) in thanks for the Dutchman's assistance in putting time into everyone else behind him on GC (excepting Landa, of course).
Now the question for Astana, is Landa now the team leader or do they continue to work for Aru? Furthermore, do they have any chance of unseating the outstanding Spaniard?