Mikel Landa reveals dream calendar

They say one's sophomore year is always the hardest, and Mikel Landa would certainly subscribe to that view. The 23-year-old burst onto the pro scene in some style by taking out the Vuelta a Burgos' queen-stage atop the mythical Lagunas de Neila in 2011, but found success harder to come by in a decidedly below par 2012. His only result of note was a creditable second to Daniel Moreno in the Gran Premio Miguel Indurain in the spring, while an anonymous ride towards 69th overall in his maiden Grand Tour in the Vuelta was less than his fans, his managers and, surely, himself has expected.

As arguably the most talented climber to come out of the Basque Country since Igor Antón though, Igor González de Galdeano's support for the Murgia-native is unwavering. As a show of his faith in the much sought-after Fundación Euskadi product, Euskaltel's General Manager has handed his young charge a 2013 racing calendar filled with some of the team's biggest races.

The major goal of his season will again be the Vuelta a España, El Correo today reveals. But that's not the only attractive race on his schedule.

"I've got a good calendar with many WorldTour races", he said. "Racing Catalunya, País Vasco and Romandie shows Igor counts on me".

The 2013 season will also see him being handed his debut in the Ardennes Classics, races that should, on paper anyway, be suited to his characteristics. After this heavy first half of the season, he'll retake competition at the Clásica Ordizia and the Vuelta a Burgos to prepare for his second assault on the Spanish three-week race.