MEDICAL UPDATE: Mikel Landa reportedly "in good spirits and optimistic for the future" after his Giro crash

Mikel Landa was the unfortunate victim of Albanian Grande Partenza. On the descent from last time the Surrel climb, the Spaniard was among those who misread the technical descent and it was immediately clear Landa's GC ambition at Giro d'Italia was over. After few nights in hospital, the 35-year-old will now head home to slowly start a recovery process.

"After the accident, Mikel was transferred to hospital in Tirana, where he underwent a CT scan, that revealed a stable fracture to the Th 11 vertebra. Mikel spent the night in an ICU ward, but after suffering no further complications, he was moved to a normal hospital room and arrangements were made of his trip home, where he can begin his recuperation. He is said to be in good spirits and optimistic for the future," reads the team press release.

Speaking on his return home, Mikel said: "I would like to thank everybody for the messages of support and the love that I have received. I would also like to thank the medics both at the scene of the accident and at the hospital in Tirana, and to everybody at Soudal - Quick-Step who has taken care of me and helped me to return to my home. It will be a long recovery but the support that has been shown to me will strengthen me on my journey."