"If I'm having a bad day, I'll work for him" - Remco Evenepoel ready to help Mikel Landa if opportunity arises

Remco Evenepoel started off his season with a bang at the Figueira Champions Classic and has given evidence of good form straight away. However throughout the season the Belgian is bound to have less good days, and he says that he is prepared to help new teammate Mikel Landa if the opportunity arises.

“I think we know each other from other teams. But let's say we don't blindly know how the other person feels. The most important thing this week is to get to know each other better," Evenepoel shared with Wielerflits following his triumph in Portugal. "If I'm having a bad day, I'll work for him. And he will do the same for me. I think it will be a pretty easy collaboration."

At Figueira this was not necessary, the Basque was often seen in the wheel of Evenepoel, but the time-trial World Champion's attack was so difficult for the competition to match that Landa did not need to do any work. As Evenepoel soared to a dominant solo win, Landa finished in the chasing group which sprinted to second place behind, ending his debut with the Belgian team to wrap off a good day.

Evenepoel will be the overwhelming favourite for the upcoming Volta ao Algarve, but is setting sights on the World Tour stage-races. Paris-Nice is the first big objective, he admits. “It's pretty clear that I want to try to get a win as quickly as possible. I think it's always good to start a season with a victory. I'm working on quite a big preparation for Paris-Nice," he tells. "So I especially hope to continue growing in the next ten days."