On the day of his 35th birthday (13th of December, 2024), one of the biggest names of modern Spanish cycling, Mikel Landa has admitted he's uncertain about his plans for the future, with his Soudal - Quick-Step contract entering its final year.
Speaking to Marca, Landa was asked about what his next few years could entail after previously announcing that 2025 could be his final year on the bike. “I don’t know. It’s not the time to think about that now," he begins. "When you are tired, as was the case after the end of the season, you see things in one way. Now I am coming back from winter, from the holidays, and I feel at my best. I have a contract for the whole year and then we will decide."
Similarly to 2024 though, much of what Landa has planned in 2025 will depend on the calendar of Soudal - Quick-Step leader Remco Evenepoel. Landa and Evenepoel formed a strong partnership this year, most notably at the Tour de France where the Belgian took a podium on debut and Landa himself secured a 5th placed finish in the general classification.
“We still have to wait to clarify everything. I would like to return to the Giro but we have to see if it is compatible with the team's wishes, but we still have to see everything well,” Landa explains, wishing his team leader the best following his recent training crash. “Let's hope he returns as soon as possible and in good condition.”
At Soudal - Quick-Step in 2025 though, there will be change at the team as long-standing team boss Patrick Lefevere steps back from his duties. “It is something that we all expected sooner or later because Jurgen Fore joined last year. But, yes, the people who have been with him all their lives are now a bit in shock,” Landa assesses.