Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Merida) continued his excellent showing at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco when he again finished with the best riders in today's queen stage of the race. The result allowed him to move into third on GC and as he felt at ease on today's final climb, he has a lot of confidence ahead of the final two stages.

After a few bad seasons, it seems that Damiano Cunego is finally back to his best. Today he proved that his great riding on the opening day of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco was no fluke as he finished with the favourites in the queen stage to move into third on GC.

Cunego's showing capped a great day for Lampre-Merida that animated the stage. Nelson Oliveira was part of the early breakaway and when it was about to be brought back already at the midway point, Rui Costa bridged across. As he was joined by major riders like Alberto Contador and Alejandro Valverde, the move was  brought back and instead Kristijan Durasek was part of the break that dominated the second half of the race.

In the end, the stage was decided by the race favourites and here Cunego finished in the same time as race leader Contador, crossing the line in 19th. He remains 36 seconds behind the Spaniard but as Michal Kwiatkowski lost time he moved up a spot in the overall standings.

"Today I have to say that the team was perfect as they have been in the previous stages," he said. "We were in every break, and this has certainly given us peace of mind throughout the race. 

"I had really good feelings and despite the constant changes of pace in the finale, I was able to maintain contact with the top of the overall standings and even move up to the third step of the podium. This gives me hope for the next two stages where I will do by best to defend my position."

"I'm really happy with the race today," sports director Joxean Fernandez Matxin said. "The guys have carried out all our pre-race plans. 

"From Oliveira's first attack over the work done by Rui Costa in support of Cunego to an excellent Durasek that deserved more today if he had had more luck. The group of young riders is compact and I think we have everything you need for a nice finish of the Vuelta."