“I am satisfied with my result, especially since this is my first stage race of the season.”

“We were all the time about Ayuso, who was the strongest and the main favorite for victory today, and this was encouraging,” said Landa after the stage in a press release from the team. “It was not an easy climb and it was important to be in a good position. So I would like to thank the boys – they worked hard all day and looked after me well.”

Landa's constant pace on the ascent enabled him to limit his losses to Juan Ayuso, who was the dominant driver on that day and was able to secure both the stage victory and the lead of the racing.

“When I climbed, I only tried to do my best and I am satisfied with my result, especially because this is my first level of the season,” added Landa.

His soudal-fast teammate Mattia Cattaneo also granted a strong journey to ensure that the team now has two drivers in the top ten of the general classification in the last phase.