It`s been a tough road to recovery for Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) in the Vuelta a Espaņa, but the Italian Grand Tour star is sure he`s in fast-improving condition as the race draws towards an end. Day-in, day-out at the Vuelta, Nibali has been either in breakaways or working hard on the front for Bahrain-Merida as they battle to defend Ion Izagirre`s GC options. At the Balcon de Bizkaia summit finish on Wednesday, there was something of a landmark for Nibali as he secured his first top-10 placing in a stage of the Vuelta - or any race, for that matter - since his bad crash in the closing kilometres on Alpe d`Huez in July at the Tour de France, fracturing a vertebra in the centre of his back.ADVERTISEMENT But as Nibali and the Vuelta head towards the mountains of Andorra on Friday, where Nibali took a fine stage win last year in the Vuelta en route to second overall, the Italian is quietly satisfied with his rising form. `It`s been a difficult Vuelta for me. I`ve suffered a lot, firstly with the problems with my back after the Tour de France crash, then as I tried to find my form,` Nibali told Cyclingnews before stage 18 - where he finished 65th, just behind the main peloton. `I`ve dug deep because it was very important to finish the Vuelta well. Compared to the start things have changed, I`m getting better and better and that`s a good sign,` he said. `I can`t say I`m in super form now, but I expect that the week after the Vuelta will be very important to reach almost 100 per cent top condition.` Asked what he would do after the Vuelta a Espaņa and before the World Championships, where he will be a leading contender, Nibali said he will be following a program of racing and training working alongside the Italian National Team.
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