"He is the winner of the Tour de France and we know he is in good shape" - Mikel Landa knows the challenge ahead with Vingegaard at Itzulia Basque Country

Mikel Landa has been on the attack quite a lot over the opening days of Itzulia Basque Country, and has proven his form is good. He finished second atop the brutally steep finale of stage 3, one which did not suit him but saw a very strong performance.

Ahead of him however was Jonas Vingegaard, who took over the race lead. “He is the winner of the Tour de France and we know he is in good shape. But this race has surprises in store every day, so differences will still be made,” Landa told Marca. “I am having one of the best starts of my season. I would like to compete for the podium here. This final climb demanded a lot because it was very narrow.”

Landa made a solo move on stage 2 which was then reeled in by the peloton, and on stage 3 he accelerated on one of the hilltops before the final ascent. This didn't have an effect on him however as on the final climb he flew up the gradients of over 20% alongside Enric Mas, and sprinted to second place in the end. Without Pello Bilbao in the team he's the sole leader of Bahrain - Victorious.

Landa was second at the Vuelta a Andalucia behind Tadej Pogacar, and now he faces Vingegaard. Landa departs to stage 4 in second place, 5 seconds behind the Jumbo-Visma rider, but well within reach of an overall win or even a stint in the race lead.