Like everyone else Mikel Landa is enjoying the first rest day of the Giro d'Italia and he does so with extraordinary morale and confidence as he has been the revelation of the Giro. Hr is now fourth overall, only behind Alberto Contador, his leader Fabio Aru and Richie Porte. "It is my greatest sports moment," confirms the Basque climber before stressing that the priority is his Astana team. "We have to go all out for Aru" he says.

At 25 years of age, Landa is enjoying his breakthrough after a fantastic month: he won a stage of the Tour of the Basque Country and only Porte was better than him at the Giro Trentino. Now he has extended that streak as a surprise guest in the battle between Contador, Aru and Porte. "It is not like I expected this, but ... I knew I would play a role, but then to be with the top three is another step. I arrived after a month of good performances and when things have been difficult, I've been there. And I'm focused. The truth is that I am enjoying it very much and I hope to be with them again on the next climbs," he tells Biciciclismo from his hotel.

"One thing is to be there, another is to be involved. And whenever such a situation occurs, it's my turn to empty myself. This motivates me much for the next few days," he adds.

There is no doubt that "it is my greatest sports moment." He reflects on what is supposed to be his highest level. "This last month is still amazing and special, and I hope that this will mark a new chapter in my career. There is little time to think about my career. We have many long stages and are always on the road, you arrive at the hotel tired and is not in a mood to reflect. Today I have a day off and it gives me time to think. To be a bit ambitious, I have to pose some challenge from here on," he explains.

Landa suffered from a virus almost all winter and is now rubbing shoulders with the best in the world in a race like the Giro. In fact, he did not debut until late March in the Volta a Catalunya. "Maybe I have changed a bit. I spent two and a half months in a bad mood. You see that time passes and that has made me realize that I have to seize my chances. Anyway, you have to have the legs and when they are there, everything is easier."

He regrets not having been victorious in Campitello Matese where he was second behind Intxausti (Movistar Team). "It would have been the icing on the cake, the reward for all the work I've done and I can do from here. It was a shame. I am also happy for Beñat (Intxausti), but I would have liked to beat him," he says.

However, the goal at Astana is clear. 'Aru is very ambitious. He is here to win the Giro and is ready. It is clear that there is no plan B. I am fortunate to be close, but I am ready to sacrifice myself. We have to go all out with Aru."

He gives his view on the match between his team and its leader Aru and Tinkoff-Saxo and Contador. "I think we are collectively better. We have a very strong team in the mountains and here we have very rough terrain. In a head to head battle, Contador is probably the best," he says.

His ideal outcome in Milan is clear: "If I could choose, I hope to win a stage, finish in the top 10 or 15 and win the race with Aru."

Moreover, Landa's contract with Astana ends this year but he prefers to leave that matter in the background."I'm in the best possible position. But I'm in the Giro and I will not think about other things. When it's over, I'll take care of that," he concludes.