Soudal Quick-Step aiming for Giro success with polar opposites: Experienced Landa for GC, young gun Magnier for stage wins

Mikel Landa will lead the team’s GC hopes. The experienced Spaniard will act as a super-domestique for Remco Evenepoel at the Tour de France, but at the Giro, he gets to ride for himself. It will be his eighth time taking on the Italian grand tour. “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,” he said on the team’s website.

“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 Giro has always suited Landa well: he broke through in 2015 with Astana, winning two stages and finishing third overall. In 2017, he won a stage and the mountains classification, and in 2022 he returned to the podium, finishing third again, just over three minutes behind winner Jai Hindley.

Sports director Davide Bramati recognizes that the team is facing a varied and challenging course, full of potential hazards. “There are many demanding stages, especially in the final week, where anything can happen,” said the Italian. “That means we have to stay alert at all times. We’ve got a strong and motivated team for this first grand tour of the year.”

Alongside the 35-year-old Landa, the much younger Magnier will play a key role for Soudal Quick-Step. The 21-year-old Frenchman will be the team’s weapon for the sprint stages. “Mikel will lead our GC ambitions, while Paul will try to mix it up in the bunch sprints. We know it’s going to be a tough race, but we’re ready to give our all.” Magnier opted for a training camp close to home instead of a high-altitude camp, he told IDLProCycling.com. It’s his way of ensuring he’s fully prepared for his first three-week challenge.