Mikel Landa not targeting GC, that’ll take some getting used to; So what are his goals for the Vuelta a España?

"Determination, discipline, experience" is the headline above the interview with Keisse about Landa, because it is clear that the Spaniard had to dig deep to get back on his bike after breaking his vertebrae. Landa will start the Vuelta as team leader, as if nothing had happened, but that is obviously not the case. “The injury was complicated, so I don't know what to expect. I'm just happy to be back. Burgos is important to see if the Vuelta is realistic,” Landa said recently.

Normally, Landa isn't targeting the GC in the Vuelta, but just wants to enjoy the race. Keisse, as team manager of Soudal-Quick Step, followed Landa's rehabilitation closely. “It was a serious crash, but the third and fourth stages in Burgos were the key moments. Mikel showed that he is really back, even though he struggled on the final day. And that's not easy, because at a moment like that, the body struggles to return to a certain level.”

“Mikel's condition is still improving, but the work done so far has been excellent. And that gives us confidence,” said Keisse. “Mikel is a leader, a gentleman, and someone who is easy to manage. He is demanding, but at the same time flexible. He has qualities that make him demand a lot from himself, but that also ensure that he recovers quickly mentally. His inner strength, experience, and discipline make the difference in his ongoing return to the top level.”

The good-humored climber had to rest for eight to ten weeks after his crash in the Giro before he was allowed to ride on the rollers. He was back on his bike in June, but his injured back remained a problem for a long time. "That's why riding for the GC is not realistic. We expect him to go for a few stage wins, but we're not putting any pressure on him to avoid losing time in the early days. Maybe he'll stay in the top ten or top twenty, but we don't want to overload him."

Landa's track record in terms of classification in the Vuelta is not particularly impressive either. In 2023, he finished fifth and in 2024 eighth, his two best overall results in his home country. He also won a stage in 2015, but has been much more successful in the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France throughout his career. In the Giro, he finished third twice, won a total of three stages, and took the mountain jersey in 2017. In seven appearances in the Tour, he finished in the top seven five times.