"Many people said to me: Mikel Landa? Really?" - Patrick Lefevere feels vindicated after initial criticism of Soudal - Quick-Step super domestique

It is no secret that in recent years, Soudal - Quick-Step have been making a concerted effort to improve their climbing ranks and therefore strengthen the support of Grand Tour leader, Remco Evenepoel. Arguably the most important signing made has been Mikel Landa.

“I am very proud of the decision I made to sign Mikel because many people said to me: Mikel Landa? Really? He is 34 years old," recalls a now vindicated Soudal - Quick-Step team boss, Patrick Lefevere in conversation with AS. "Now, if you ask all those pessimistic people who had that thought eight or nine months ago, they would have a different answer now. He is a great teammate and a brilliant rider. He has shown in the past that he can be with great leaders and he will be very important for Evenepoel.”

With 6 stages down at the 2024 Tour de France, Evenepoel sits 2nd in the general classification at 45 seconds behind the Maillot Jaune wearing Tadej Pogacar. Landa meanwhile has also kept himself in GC contention, and is 7th overall at 1:32 down on the UAE Team Emirates leader. “Being among the top three or five is the challenge we have with him, it is our main goal and we will fight for it,” Lefevere says of Evenepoel's Maillot Jaune challenge.

As for Landa, whilst the experienced Basque rider is working in the service of Evenepoel at the Tour de France, in the role of super domestique, Lefevere insists that leadership opportunities will present themselves for Landa by the time the year is out. "The idea is for him to be our leader in the Vuelta a Espana," explains the Belgian team boss.

With a Soudal - Quick-Step contract until the end of the 2025 season, Lefevere will be hoping Landa can continue his impressive work for Evenepoel.