There remains an assumption though, that Landa can only excel when performing as a super domestique, rather than when given leadership himself. This is a myth the 34-year-old is looking to dispel at his home Grand Tour this time around. "It hurts me. Because they forget the results I had in the past when I was the leader," Landa explains to
Marca. "I finished fourth in the Tour for the second time or when I finished third in the Giro for the second time as the team leader."
Landa does admit though that the pressures of leadership are something he is aware of. "I feel a lot of pressure," he admits, having finished 92nd in the stage 1 time trial around Lisbon. "It's a great opportunity. I have a good team at my disposal and I want to take advantage of it, let's see if I can do it."
Although the recently crowned double Olympic champion Evenepoel won't be present in Spain, Landa reveals he has been in conversation with the Belgian superstar. "We didn't talk much because I can imagine how busy his phone must be every day. One of the days he spoke to me. He wished me luck and told me that everything was going to go well," Landa explains. "It was incredible what he did. We enjoyed the Tour and then he did great in Paris."