Mikel Landa started his season last month at the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali after a lengthy lay-off with illness at the start of the year. He finished in 11th place overall, a good result which marks an important step on the road to the Giro d'Italia.

"I hadn't raced in a long time. The truth is that I went in with no objective. I went in with quite a few doubts that were holding me back, but returning to competition makes you forget about everything and you see your true level. All sportspeople want to compete and the challenge I have ahead of me is something that motivates me. Not being able to enjoy it and tackle it was generating more stress for me", he told Cyclingnews.

"My sensations were good. When the race became complicated I was there, so I've come away happy. Doing the race has given me a lot of confidence, although given the circumstances I went into it without any real aim – just to enjoy it, to feel like a racer once again. That's the important thing, and I think I managed it. Now I can think about the Giro with more confidence than before."

Today, he will be present at the start of the Volta al Pais Vasco. He will have the possibility to compare his shape to that of a lot of contenders. Last year he won the Aia stage. "It's a race I really like and which was a real highlight for me last year. From that moment on it was an unforgettable season and it holds great memories for me. The truth is that it's a pain that I'm not going into it in better shape because it's a great route for a climber, even more so with that mountain time trial at Arrate. Going for the overall is going to be tough because the other riders will have a level that I don't. It's going to be impossible, but I think I can be in the fight for a stage. I'll give everything to achieve it."

He will later ddo the Giro del Trentino and will take the opportunity to reconnoitre a couple of the Giro stages too. "The setback I've had leaves me with no margin for experiments, so after Trentino I won't race any more. There won't even be any altitude; I prefer to play it safe – train at home, race, and do the basics in order to reach the Giro in the same shape as last year. I've taken the step of familiarizing myself with being in a race and that puts me at ease. From now on, if my form improves there will be no problem reaching the Giro like last year."