Having fallen out of GC contention, Tanel Kangert was set to play a key role for Fabio Aru in the Vuelta a Espana. However, the Estonian is ill and hopes to recover on the rest day.

“The tank is just empty, after being sick for five days," Tanel Kangert said after the queen stage of the Vuelta a Espana. "I think I can survive the rest day and recover to start the next stage. Then we can talk with the Directors and make a decision."

Teammate Fabio Aru held on through five categorized climbs on the Vuelta’s Queen Stage to solidify his important fifth overall in General Classification. The Italian rider finished sixth on the day, just over a minute behind stage winner and race leader Alberto Contador.

Kangert raced in July as part of the winning Tour de France squad behind Vincenzo Nibali. The Estonian began his season in Argentina in January.

Andrea Guardini held on to finish Monday’s epic mountain stage within the time limit and will start on Wednesday in pursuit of his first Vuelta a España stage win.