The new and improved Andrew Talansky looks ready for the Vuelta a Espana, after taking a summit finish and third overall in Utah, losing the lead on the last day.

After two bad seasons, Talansky has strung together some nice results with 4th in California, 5th in Suisse and now onto the podium in Utah. The Cannondale-Drapac leader spoke with Cyclingnews right after utah finished to discuss the upcoming goals.

"Obviously I didn't have my best day, but this race kind of served to complete the final altitude block coming into the Vuelta. I didn't spend two weeks before the race at altitude. I chose to stay down at sea level and focus on intensity. There's not a lot of high altitude finishes in the Vuelta this year. So I was surprised at how I was riding, and I'm happy to come away with a stage win."

Talansky is hopeful his bad day on the last stage will serve him well come the three week race that begins in two weeks time.

"I completed 12 days at altitude today and definitely got intensity in," he said. "I had a day that wasn't my best today, and a lot of times that's what you need heading into a tough three weeks like the Vuelta."

He says a stage win at the race would be nice, but he was 7th on GC in 2012 and the only way to prove he is back to his best is to better or at least equal that ride.

"Obviously I've never won a stage of a Grand Tour, so that's on my mind and it would be very special if the chance presents itself," he said. "But that's not the main priority. The Vuelta was actually my second Grand Tour but my first result in 2012 when I was seventh there. So obviously I'd like to improve on that, and this week showed I'm on track.”