Two days ago Mikel Landa arrived at his home in Murgia to celebrate his achievements in the Giro d'Italia. The 25-year-old Astana rider was the revelation of the Italian grand tour with a third place, two stage wins and spectacular riding in the mountains. The Basque climber took the opportunity to look back at his performances and now looks forward to the Vuelta a Espana where he wants to show "that it was not just two-month explosion and that's it."

Yesterday he was celebrated in his home town before he travels to Kazakhstan. "I still haven't returned to normal. I arrived in Bilbao yesterday at 11 o'clock (in the evening). I woke up today and I have not left my bubble. Yesterday I was with the team so I have not had time to think about what happened and what I've done. I have loved the Giro and with my achievements I think it's going to by my favourite race," he told reporters according to Biciciclismo.

His balance can not be more than outstanding. "Before going to the Giro, I didn't expect this. After the time trial I saw that I was still in the top 10 and I thought that I was stronger than some of those in front me and that I could reach the podium or finish in the top five with a bit of luck. I'm very happy, despite the fact that the team slowed me down. Thanks to them I have also had the opportunity to be third, and I am very grateful," he says realistically.

After his two victories in Madonna di Campiglio and Aprica, he wrote 'Long live the mother who bore me and gave me legs' on his Facebook profile. "I have to thank my parents for what they have given to me, for how they raised me, and the genes that my mother gave me," he jokes.

For Landa, the deam has always been to be on the podium in a grand tour.

"When you turn professional, you always have ambitions. In my case I had to find my place in the Grand Tours. And for me it was a surprise to be at this level in the Giro. I have worked hard for it so I'm happy and eager to continue this," he said. 

Undoubtedly, this is a turning point in his career.

"This year I approached the season in a different way.I realized that opportunities should be exploited in a better way. Now, after the level I've had, I can not waste time and I think I have to focus on these goals, the grand tours, and make the most of my good feelings."

As a point of departure, he needs to improve his time trial after he lost more than four minutes to Contador in the Giro TT.

"At the beginning of the year, I had planned to do so as I could suddenly be in a position to go for GC. I have started and now I think I will have to speed up a little more and get better because if one day I want to do something I can't lose too much time," he explains. 

However, he doesn't want to forget his status as a climber because that is "where I can make a difference," like he did on the Colle de Finestre where he dropped Contador, a magical moment for him. "I was not thinking about winning the Giro because Alberto is Alberto. He is never going to crack because he manages himself really well. For me it was a surprise too. Alberto looked at me and made me doubt because he responded when Kruijswijk and Hesjedal attacked. I did not know if he was good or bad. Anyway, it was the last day in the mountains, and I had to try hard."

Now he will have a period of rest because in a little more than two months he has done the Volta a Catalunya, Tour of the Basque Country, Giro del Trentino and the Giro d'Italia. 

"My next goal will be the Vuelta a Espana. I do not know what I will ride before that race, maybe Burgos or Poland. Next weekend I will visit Kazakhstan with the team so it will be time to rest and the gradually prepare for the Vuelta," he says. "I want to show - or rather to repeat - the level that I have had so far and I want a confirmation. I want to show that it was not just a two-month explosion and that's it."

He did the Vuelta in 2012 (69th), 2013 (39th) and 2014 (28th) and the race is well-suited to his characteristics, with nine simmit finishes. He knows that he will no longer be an outsider. 

"I have to take into consideration that I am now one of the candidates for the podium or for a top 5 finish. It will give me a bit more pressure. This year the race has the profile it has had in recent years, with unknown, explosive uphill finishes. I think it suits me well."

Landa has had a breakthrough in his sixth pro season. He debuted with the Orbea team in 2010 and roder with Euskaltel-Euskadi from 2011 to 2013 before joining the Astana last year. "The Basques of my generation, and those before, have had an easier path to the professional ranks. We have had many races at home, even a WorldTour team. Maybe that's why you now have to sacrifice more to become professionall."

Landa does not forget the virus which forced him to postpone his season debut until the Volta in March.

"They always say that you learn from the bad things. It was no different for me because it has definitely helped me."