Benat Intxausti has begun his Team Sky career well, taking third overall at the Volta a Valenciana while supporting leader Wout Poels to the overall title. The Spaniard says he sees why people see Sky as being so secretive from the outside, but says it couldn’t be further from reality.

“Yes it is true that from the outside it may seem like a closed circle but when you get inside you realise that it is something else,” he told Biciciclismo. “The treatment is outstanding and the care for each rider is 100 per cent; you have everything you want and it’s all at hand. That is very satisfying and influences in your mood.”

Intxausti says his start to the season was important for his confidence, as it confirmed the good feelings he had in training all winter.

“It’s pretty good start on a new team and it is important for my confidence,” he added. “I knew I was more or less riding well, but you always have a question, having not tested myself in competition. I had to prove it.”

He faces tough competition for leadership in stages races and Grand Tours, going up against Chris Froome, Mikel Landa, Michal Kwiatkowski, Poels, Leopold Konig, Geraint Thomas and Peter Kennaugh.