Yet another scorching day culminated in the toughest ascent of the Vuelta so far as what was left of the peloton splintered to pieces on the Alto de Peñas Blancas. Assisted by team-mate Sergio Henao, Urán hung tough amid an avalanche of attacks in the finale to finish in touch with the favourites, dropping a place in the general classification but very much remaining in contention.

Urán crossed the line in a select group, 23 seconds back on the day’s winner Leopold König (Team NetApp-Endura).

After the stage Sky Sports Director Marcus Ljungqvist was glad to see the team's Colombian duo riding well on a challenging climb.

"It was a good day today," the Swede confirmed on the Sky website. "We were happy to see Sergio back up there and Rigo performing well. It was a tough climb at the finish, especially at the start with the really steep sections. It was more of a steady one after that but it was a long effort in the heat. The riders will have felt that one."

Ljungqvist also elaborated on what might have been as Cataldo's day in the break proved fruitless on a stage which could have suited the escapees.

"It was a shame," he added. "NetApp had a man in the break, then he went back because he was so high on GC. Then they chased. It was a day where a break could have gone and we had Dario up there because of that. It was a hard start to the day and the high pace meant it was hard to get someone up there. "The main thing today is that the GC looks good. Rigo is looking solid and Sergio is moving back up. We have a steep finish tomorrow and then another big day on Monday. Let’s see what happens.”