“It’s a new race for me and I’m excited" - Mikel Landa opens 2025 season with first ever appearance at Strade Bianche

Mikel Landa is one of the last remaining big-name stars yet to open up their 2025 season. We now know when and where the 35-year-old will make his seasonal bow though, with the Soudal - Quick-Step man confirmed for a first ever appearance at Strade Bianche on March 8th.

“It’s a new race for me and I’m excited, because I have always loved watching it on TV," previews the much-loved founder of 'Landismo' in a pre-race press release posted to the official website of the Soudal - Quick-Step team. "I know it will be completely different to be there on the course, in the thick of the action, and really nervous, but I will try to do my best as I get my season underway and just enjoy this experience.”

Landa has had plenty of success on Italian roads during the course of his career, winning three stages and a King of the Mountains at the Giro d'Italia, plus finishing on the final podium in 2022. With a stage of Tirenno-Adriatico coming in 2018 and the overall win at the Giro del Trentino back in 2016, Landa will be hoping for similar Italian success on his Strade Bianche debut.

“It’s one of the most beautiful, but also one of the hardest races of the season, and we are motivated to give our best and leave everything out there," adds Soudal Quick-Step sports director Davide Bramati. "It won’t be easy and we don’t start as the favourites, but we have a solid team that comes to the start after some strong outings last week, so we are confident in our chances of being involved in the fight for a nice result.”