Mikel Landa out of the Giro d'Italia - Crash with medical car at Itzulia led to pelvis fracture

This year's Giro d'Italia will start without one of its reference riders in Mikel Landa. The leader of Soudal - Quick-Step has been sidelined from the first Grand Tour of the season after it was diagnosed that he suffered a pelvis fracture when he was hit by the medical car at Itzulia Basque Country.

With the departure of Remco Evenepoel from the Belgian team, Landa's position gained importance in the team, and he was set to be the sole leader in a Giro where it would be realistic that he would fight for a top position in the overall classification.

In the 2025 edition, Landa crashed on the first stage and suffered several fractured vertebrae, ending his race before it even figuratively began. The injury sidelined him for months and although he was able to return to competition in the final months of the season, he never reached the level that he had before it.

Landa only began his 2026 season at the Volta a Catalunya, where his modest form led him to finish 15th. At Itzulia Basque Country he looked to perform better but on stage 2, whilst taking on the final descent from San Miguel de Aralar, he was hit by the race's medical vehicle as he chased on one of the main groups. The footage revealed a Landa in pain and laying on the ground, causing serious concerns for his participation at the Giro.

Whilst he eventually did managed to get up and finish the stage, he did not start the following day. He was later diagnosed with a small fracture in the pelvis as a result. This Monday morning João Almeida confirmed his absence from the Giro; whilst Richard Carapaz' participation has also been put in question. Landa's absence further thins down the pool of overall contenders.

The plan from now onward is most likely the Tour de France, which he already had in his schedule. “I am obviously disappointed, as I had worked hard to come back from a difficult winter and was starting to feel good again in Itzulia”, Landa said in a press release. “I had been experiencing some discomfort, but the type of fracture made it difficult to fully identify at first. Now that we have clarity, I can focus fully on my recovery.”

A rider whose career has been marked by a few moments of bad luck, it does not come as a novelty. He will not race his ninth Giro d'Italia this spring. “It’s a shame to miss the Giro d’Italia, especially as I was motivated to return after last year. But the priority now is to get healthy again and rebuild my condition, and then we will look ahead to new goals later in the season.”