Sergio Henao (Sky) battled to a stunning stage victory at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco to move into the race lead on stage three.

The Team Sky rider went toe to toe with compatriot Carlos Betancur (AG2R-La Mondiale) on the final climb in Trapagaran to win by half a wheel-length in an epic mountaintop battle.

Victory on the climb, which ramped up to 21%, elevated Henao into an eight-second race lead in the Basque Country while teammate Richie Porte completed a great day for Team Sky with sixth on the stage, enough to occupy third overall, 10 seconds back.

Henao had been active on the final climb of the Alto de la Lejana, kicking early on to thin out the lead group before attacking a second time in the final metres, bridging across to Betancur and fellow escapee Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha) on the fan-lined climb.

Caruso held on for third ahead of a number of contenders, led home by Nairo Quintana (Movistar) eight seconds back while Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida), Porte, Alberto Contador (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) and Simon Spilak (Katusha) claimed places five-through-eight, all 10 seconds back.

“It was another extraordinary day,” explained Sky sports director Nicolas Portal. “Especially on such a hard stage it was great to get the win. It was a special Basque climb today so it was great that the team could make their mark on this stage. Sergio was really strong at the end and made the right move. Richie was behind always in control so it was a near-perfect result for the team. The climb was hard as it was really narrow in places and the gradient always changed. There was a big effort to be at the front for the start and then it flattened out again. At the end the gradient was horrible! If you aren’t in good this is a climb that can finish you after two kilometres.

We don’t have the full team here. The peloton knows this and [defending the lead] won’t be easy. We will do our best to control things but I would expect other teams to come through towards the finish as was the case today.”

Starting at 14.45 on Thursday you can follow the action from Vuelta al País Vasco live here on Cyclingquotes.com