While many hoped the rumours of a chance that Team Sky’s Chris Froome would race the Giro d’Italia next year would come true, it appears that they will remain rumour, as Mikel Landa has been tapped to lead the team for the first Grand Tour.

Landa, speaking to Basque publication Marca said he had already begun his training for next season, with the “big goal” to shine at the Giro “more or less shaped and similar to other years,” he said.

He is training around his home town of Murgia, with running through the snow on the slopes Mount Gorbea.

The team has already mapped out the first half of his season, beginning at “either the Vuelta a Andalucía or Valencia.” Then his final preparation for the Giro campaign will come from Tirreno-Adriatico, the Volta a Catalunya and Giro del Trentino.

Unfortunately for his Basque fans, this schedule will not allow him to race at the Vuelta a País Vasco.

Click through to read more at Marca.