Mikel Landa claimed victory on home turf at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco ©Team Sky/Twitter

Spanish Team Sky rider Mikel Landa triumphed on home turf to take the leaders journey in a mountainous second stage of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco in Garrastatxu-Baranbio today.

Landa pulled clear along with Dutch LottoNL-Jumbo rider Wilco Kelderman on a punishing final climb at the end of a tough 174.6 kilometres journey from Markina-Xemein.

He then attacked again in the closing stages for a one second victory on home soil over Kelderman in 4hours 43min 17sec.

It was a major boost for the 26-year-old, whose season has been disrupted by a lingering illness.

Another Team Sky rider in Colombia's Sergio Henao finished four seconds further back to cross the line third.

There was a significant move behind them as Spain's three-time former champion Alberto Contador gained precious seconds over his overall classification rival, Nairo Quintana of Colombia.

The Tinkoff rider crossed just 11 seconds behind Landa to claim fifth place on the day.

Alberto Contador (left) and Nairo Quintana, pictured after last month's Volta Catalunya, are continuing their epic rivalry ©Getty Images
Alberto Contador (left) and Nairo Quintana, pictured after last month's Volta Catalunya, are continuing their epic rivalry ©Getty Images

Movistar's Quintana was four seconds further back in eighth.

Today's results are virtually identical to the current overall standings given how almost all the field were awarded the same time yesterday.

Landa leads the stage race - also known as Tour of the Basque Country - ahead of Kelderman and Henao.

Stage one winner Luis León Sánchez  tumbled out of contention today, however, finishing in 42nd place, 1:25 behind.

There will be more hills to come on tomorrow's third stage, a 194km journey from Vitoria-Gasteiz to Lesaka.