Mikel Landa in tears after ending seven-year wait for Vuelta stage win: ‘It was my last chance’

Invisible for almost the entire season, but still able to rise when it mattered. That is exactly what Mikel Landa did on Stage 20 of the Vuelta a España. The 36-year-old Spaniard proved the strongest in a brutally demanding mountain stage and crossed the finish line in tears. Considering everything he has been through this year, it was hardly surprising.

Landa had already suffered a major setback in his home race, the Tour of the Basque Country, where he was involved in a nasty accident. He was struck by a vehicle during the second stage and was forced to abandon with a fractured pelvis. The injury ruled him out of his first major target of the season, the Giro d’Italia — particularly cruel after a crash on the opening stage had also ended his Giro prematurely one year earlier.

The injury he suffered in the Basque Country followed Landa for a long, long time. The Tour de France also came too soon for the 36-year-old. Remco Evenepoel’s departure should theoretically have created more opportunities for him at Soudal Quick-Step, but Landa was in no condition to take advantage. He eventually returned to racing and rode the Tour of Burgos, although his level was still a long way from where he wanted it to be.

Even so, Landa was on the start list for the Vuelta a España. It would be his final Grand Tour with the Belgian squad, with his return to former team Euskaltel-Euskadi having been announced in August. Landa had been desperately searching for the perfect farewell present, but it had not come easily. Until Saturday, 27th place on the stage to Andorra on day four had been his best result of the race.

But in the final mountain stage, Landa was determined to make something happen. He was not part of the original breakaway, instead riding in a sizeable chasing group. From there, the Basque climber made the move across to the front on his own. He then showed that his climbing legs were still very much there, making the difference early on the punishing Collado del Alguacil. In classic Landa style, hands down in the drops, he rode clear to a magnificent victory.

The tears at the finish line—and during the flash interview—were entirely understandable after such a difficult season. “I feel so happy,” the winner said, struggling to contain his emotions. “It’s something I’ve been searching for for a long time, and finally I’m winning again.” Landa’s previous victory came five years ago, when he won the Tour of Burgos overall. His most recent individual stage victory, meanwhile, dated all the way back to 2019.

Combined with the fractured pelvis he suffered earlier this year, that made victory in the Vuelta’s final mountain stage all the more special. “I’m very emotional. It’s been a very hard season and a very hard Vuelta, and today was my last chance.” In more ways than one, perhaps: with Landa moving to Euskaltel-Euskadi, it remains to be seen whether the veteran Basque climber will ever line up in a Grand Tour again.