Rafał Majka had his 2015 season off to a very promissing start, easily passing the first test on Wednesday's stage in Oman and improving his position in the general classification of the event. It shouldn't be entirely surprising, as the Polish climber recently confessed to feel stronger then even in this part of the year. He acknowledges, though, that he will have to make a further step forward to reach his team's expectations and be ready to fill Alberto Contador's shoes when he retires.

„I feel increadibly well. Honestly speaking, it's almost terrifying how strong I am in this part of a year,” Majka told about his pre-season build up in a conversation with Adam Probosz, cycling commentator for Polish Eurosport.

Even though the 25-year old Pole, sometimes rather recultantly, proved himself as a worthy Tinkoff-Saxo leader for stage races and one of the strongest climbers of his generation last year, he insists that a further improvement is necessary to fill his team's expectations. While rumours about Contador's retirement started to circulate after the Spanish climber had reportedly revealed his will to hang up his wheels after 2016 season, Majka was coy to see himself as his natural successor in the Russian WorldTour outfit.

“I don't know, I have good teammates like Alberto Contador and I need to still learn from him about what it is like to be a big rider,” Majka told Cyclingnews.

Currently 11th in the Tour of Oman general classification, just 6 seconds down on event's biggest favourite Alejandro Valverde, the 25-year old Tinkoff Saxo leader is aware that there still is plenty to play for and everything will be decided on the slopes of Green Mountain on Friday.

“Now I need to do something more and maybe step up and get some more results for the team. For sure something is coming but I don’t know when,” he said.

Majka will follow a novel race programme in 2015, skipping the Giro d'Italia this time around to test himself in the Ardennes classics before supporting Contador in the Tour de France and taking over the leadership role at the Vuelta – another three-week event he is already familiar with.