Last year, when riding for Astana, Mikel Landa was the revelation of the Italian Grand Tour, winning two stages and posing a serious threat to Alberto Contador in the mountains.

This year, riding for Team Sky, Mikel Landa will aim to secure the first Giro d’Italia for the British team but he admitted that he must limit losses in the race’s time trials if his efforts are to be successful.

The 26-year-old Spaniard added a stage win in the Vuelta a España last year to his two wins in the Giro to establish himself as one of the outstanding climbers in the peloton.

His third place overall at the Giro persuaded Team Sky of his potential to win a Grand Tour and Landa will be leading the British team at this year's edition, even though this year’s parcours are less tailor made to his characteristics as a rider.

The five summit finishes on the route will certainly be to his liking, but Landa concedes that he might find himself in difficulties on the first two of the race's three time trials, which total 50.2 km of flat or rolling terrain.

"We are working to win the Giro. The team is doing everything to help me for that goal, so we will try,” Landa said according to Skysports.com.

"It is true that there are a lot of time trials, but there are also a lot of mountains. I have to lose as little as possible in the time trials and then try to make a difference in the mountains. We were working hard in December on the track to find a better position and now we are training once or twice a week for losing as little as possible. I am feeling more comfortable and faster, but I need a competition to see the results."

Landa revealed he expects to be supported by Leopold König, Sergio Henao, Vasil Kiryienka, David Lopez and Ian Boswell in the mountains at the Giro.

Giro-Vuelta double in the making?

Landa added that a repeat of last year’s Giro-Vuelta double might be conceivable, the Spanish race containing 51 categorised climbs and 10 summit finishes this year.

Landa said, "It's a possibility. The most possible programme for a rider who does the Giro is to do the Vuelta also, because you can have a recovery, but it is an Olympic year and every climber wants to be there because it [the Olympic road race] is a good profile for us."