Warren Barguil got the mountain stages in the Vuelta a Espana off to a great start when he finished 11th in today's tough test. However, the Frenchman doesn't feel that he has reached his best level and expects to be better as the race goes on.

Warren Barguil came across the finish line at the end of a tough test to finish the sixth stage in 11th position, just 33 seconds down on the stage winner Alejandro Valverde (Movistar). With the result, Barguil moves into the top 10 on the general classification.

The stage as expected was decided on the final climb, which featured gradients of over 15% in sections. The front of the race soon whittled down with Barguil initially losing contact, but he fought his way back to limit the time lost to the overall favourites ahead of him.

Team Giant-Shimano had one goal for the day and that was to protect Barguil, keeping him hydrated, in position and out of trouble. They did a great job in this and as the gap to the leaders was falling and the final climb approaching the fight for position became that bit harder, but Barguil started the climb well placed and ready to push on.

They got him into position at the base near the front and from here on it was up to Barguil as riders quickly dropped away under the fast pace being set on the front. Warren lost contact with the leaders with around two kilometres remaining but kept cool and set his own pace gradually reeling in more and more riders before coming across the line in 11th place. As a result of his high finishing position he jumps from 14th to ninth on GC.

Next home was Tobias Ludvigsson who, after helping position Warren, rode his own tempo up the climb to finish in 53rd position at 5’04″.

After descending back to the hotel, Barguil said: “Today was really hard. The guys looked after me really well and they put me in second position at the foot of the final climb which was great.

“I gave it everything at the end. I had to let go of the group a bit but I then set my own tempo and ended up passing several others.

“I personally don’t feel like I am climbing my best yet but each day I am feeling better and this will hopefully play into my favour in the last week.”

Team Giant-Shimano coach Christian Guiberteau said after the finish: “It was again really hot today which made it difficult on the final climb. Warren wasn’t feeling great early on but the guys rode well together and looked after him, getting him in position for the climb.

“From then on it was up to him on what was a very difficult, steep climb. He should be happy with the result as well and it will give him confidence for the hard stages to come here.”