All-in for Mikel Landa and Paul Magnier - Quick-Step's '8' for Giro d'Italia made official

Soudal - Quick-Step are bringing an ambitious lineup to the Giro d'Italia, ready to perform both in the mountains and the sprints. After having done so in the past, Mikel Landa returns with possible ambitions for a final podium, or even more if he finds the form that he's had at last year's Tour de France.

“There are a lot of demanding stages, especially those in the final week, where everything can happen, which means we need to be attentive the entire time," team DS Davide Bramati said in a press release. "We have a good and motivated team for this first Grand Tour of the year. Mikel will lead the squad’s GC ambitions, while Paul will try to be involved in the bunch sprints. We know it’s going to be a hard race, but we are ready to do our best”

Landa has finished third now 10 years ago, back in 2015 where he really broke through as a Grand Tour specialist. In 2022 he once again finished on the Top3 and realistically speaking, this is something he can point towards once again this time around. Mattia Cattaneo and James Knox will be his key support men for the difficult terrain.

“I am content with the first months of the season, it’s been a good start to the year for me and now I can’t wait to be with the guys at the Giro d’Italia," Landa dded. "I had a solid altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada, continued to prepare also after coming home and I am happy to be back at the start of the race that has made me the rider that I am today. I expect a hard Giro, with a demanding final week, but I am ready to fight for a stage victory and a good general classification there”

On the other side of the spectrum is Paul Magnier, making his Grand Tour debut in Albania but starting off as one of the strongest sprinters in the lineup. Luke Lamperti has followed his to be the right-hand man in the bunch sprints, whilst we should see Josef Cerny being important for the leadouts or potentially chasing down breakaways during the flat days. Ethan Hayter and Gianmarco Garofoli complete the lineup of the Belgian team.

Soudal - Quick-Step for Giro d'Italia:

Mikel Landa
Mattia Cattaneo
Paul Magnier
Josef Cerny
Gianmarco Garofoli
Ethan Hayter
James Knox
Luke Lamperti