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Follow us on GoogleMikel Landa has crashed hard in the first stage of the Giro d'Italia. The Spanish veteran from Soudal-Quick Step lost control in a technical descent in the final kilometers of the stage and was the most badly injured rider in a group that also included Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Geoffrey Bouchard (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale).
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The Spaniard from Soudal Quick-Step had ambitious goals going into the race. "I want to be on the podium of the Giro d'Italia," Landa said ahead of the Giro start in Albania. "That's my dream, and I'll fight for it. It's been three years since my last participation, and I look forward to it. I have a complicated relationship with the race, with some wonderful and difficult moments. But that doesn't stop me from dreaming I can accomplish something special here."
The preparation was also good. "I’m satisfied with the first few months of the season, it’s been a good start to the year for me, and I can’t wait to get going at the Giro d’Italia with the boys. I had a solid altitude camp in Sierra Nevada, followed by more training at home, and I’m happy to return to the race that shaped me into the rider I am today. I expect a tough Giro, especially with a demanding final week, but I’m ready to fight for a stage win and a strong GC result."
The Spaniard appeared full of confidence at the start of the first stage. Things went well for Landa for a long time between the start in Durrës and the finish. Lidl-Trek took control of the climbs for their leader, Mads Pedersen, and in doing so, left the fast riders behind. Landa's teammate Paul Magnier, who seemed like a dangerous outsider for the first pink jersey, had to drop out early due to pressure from the American-German team.
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Mikel Landa
Soudal Quick-Step shares first update after Landa's crash
The same did not apply to the experienced Spanish rider. Even when Giulio Ciccone accelerated once again on the final climb of the Surrel, Landa was still following. Meanwhile, we had already seen Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers) and Derk Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) fall behind. Landa came over the top with the other big names, after which only the descent to the finish remained.
That is exactly where it went wrong. When the broadcast was abruptly interrupted, we suddenly saw the Spaniard lying on the side of the road. Landa remained on the ground for a long time after his crash, in which he flew over a wall, while Vine and Bouchard also came to a standstill. Eventually, we saw him being carried away on a stretcher. Not long after Pedersen crossed the finish line as the winner, Soudal Quick-Step shared an update on their leader.
"#ForzaMikel," reads the update on X. "Our rider has been taken to the hospital for investigations after the crash that put an end to his dreams at the Giro d'Italia," the Belgian team said. This is a significant setback, but hopefully, Landa will not be seriously injured.
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- - I’m still learning how cyclocross works: when he says he messed up the start at the Europeans, can a bad start really make that much difference?patriciaw14-11-2026
- - Love that he’s honest about the pressure. Hopefully he can carry this form through the winter.lindae14-11-2026
- - Beating different competition is the key now. Nys is already in the mix, and Van der Poel could make the next step a much tougher one.jennifer1914-11-2026
- - About time—Mason’s been knocking on the door for years. That Niel win could really open things up for him.cadencekingm14-11-2026
- I’m still learning how cyclocross works—does leading the Superprestige mean Mason is top of that race series, rather than the World Cup? Either way, winning in Belgium sounds like a massive result.cadencekingm13-11-2026
- Calling Onley a contender for an overall Tour win already feels a bit premature, especially after the injury setbacks. Still, the depth of talent is exciting.robert6513-11-2026
- Great to see Dickson’s route from triathlon to the WorldTour getting recognition. Scottish cycling has plenty to be proud of, and the 2027 Grand Départ could give the next generation a real lift.patriciaw13-11-2026
- The article makes a good case for clubs and small teams doing the groundwork, rather than one big development pipeline. Thornley’s Vuelta time trials were seriously impressive too; missing a stage win by two seconds is brutal.davidm13-11-2026
- Mason winning in Niel is huge—beating that kind of Belgian field in the mud takes serious class. The Kelvingrove World Cup could be an unforgettable homecoming.breakawaybikerd13-11-2026
- I’m not sure how WorldTour licences work—could these reports affect whether the team gets one next year, or is that decision based on other criteria?velodromevirtuoso113-11-2026
