Mikel Landa pessimistic about his GC chances at Tirreno-Adriatico after a disappointing opening time trial: "I'll be happy with a top 10"
Cycling
We know that time trial is not Mikel Landa's greatest specialty. The Soudal - Quick-Step rider finished 39th in the first stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico 2025, 1:01 behind the day's winner Filippo Ganna. But put into perspective, he was only 21 seconds off the top 10.
The 35-year-old arrives at the Italian race after a Strade Bianche in which he came close to the top 10, finishing eleventh, 5:31 behind Tadej Pogacar. However, he is confident of improving from now on: "Yes, I'm convinced of it. On Saturday it was going to cost me, today I was going to lie down. I think that from tomorrow I will get better and better," he told Eurosport microphones.
Landa talked about the course and the demands of the initial time trial in Tirreno, highlighting the energy spent by the riders in these distances (11.5 kilometers): "It was demanding, as always. A short effort, super hard, in which, to tell you the truth, I've never found my best pace."
He was also asked about the general classification, where on paper he should be one of the main favorites for the podium. Instead, he sees it difficult to finish there and will be satisfied if he finishes in the top 10: "To do a good overall yes, we'll see if we can talk about the podium. I think I'll be satisfied with a top 10".
Lastly, he valued the possibility of a stage victory. Again, he responded with respect to the general classification, indicating that it will depend a lot on how he goes in the fight for the maglia azzurra. If he is far away, he feels he has more options to win one day than to achieve that podium or prestigious result in the general classificatoin: "A stage, depending on how much time he has lost until then, may be more feasible."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment