Thomas Löfkvist is expecting a tough test at the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco but feels it will provide him with the perfect platform to maintain his fitness ahead of the Ardennes classics.

The Swede looks set to spend the first five stages riding in support of Bradley Wiggins before an individual time trial rounds things off on 10 April.

After that Löfkvist will be one of the team's main hopes when he lines up at both La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège towards the end of the month and he is feeling fresh after week's training at his base in Switzerland.

We caught up with him just before he joined up with the rest of the team in Spain and he told us: "I am doing well. I've been feeling strong in training this week and am looking forward to the race.

"I've been doing a lot of long rides with intensive intervals spread in between which should also help me for the Ardennes classics. Between now and Monday morning though it will be all about resting up for the start of the race.

"Hopefully we will have some pretty good weather. At the moment it looks like it could rain on a few of the stages, but hopefully that won't last all week."

Ready to go

Löfkvist is no stranger to the Pais Vasco, having ridden it for both his previous teams, and is fully aware of the challenges the mountainous Basque region throws up.

"It's one of the hardest one-week races there is," he added. "The stages are not that long but they are very hilly and intense. It's up and down all day every day, and when you factor in the rainy weather that's forecast it could make it tougher still."

After a hugely-encouraging second-placed finish at the Strade Bianche Eroica last month, Löfkvist endured a difficult few days at the Tirreno-Adriatico and had his pre-race preparations for the Critérium International severely disrupted by Swiss airport strikes. But now the 25-year-old feels back to his best and is looking forward to doing his bit for the team.

"I didn't have a great time at either of those races. I suffered with the cold weather and hunger flat in Tirreno, which affected me for two stages, and at the Critérium both myself and Kjell Carlström had a really bad time getting to the race which meant we weren't at our best on the opening stage. Despite that though, my legs did feel good in both those races.

"I don't know how fit Bradley is feeling, but I'm happy to ride in support of him and if the chance arises, maybe I'll target some stage wins for myself. The main aim for me though is to stay out of trouble and save my legs a bit for the classics."