For the second consecutive day
Mikel Landa finished second in the
Itzulia Basque Country behind Jonas Vingegaard. In stage 4 the Spaniard was able to follow the winner of the last Tour de France in the final climb and both reached the finish line after the descent.
In the sprint the Bahrain Victorious rider could not cope with the explosiveness of his rival and had to settle for second place on the podium. After the race, he admitted that he had tried to play his cards in the sprint, but that it had not been possible. On the climb, he admitted that it was enough to hold the pace of the Danish Jumbo-Visma rider: “When Vingegaard attacked, I tried to catch him no matter what. Until the final meters, I tried to have cold blood to beat him. We still have two stages left, and I will try again”.
The Basque rider was on the attack over the first stages of the race, and yesterday he put on a great performance to keep up with the race leader. Although he didn't take the stage win and saw Vingegaard's lead extend, he has on the other hand extended his lead over the remaining riders.
Landa will have two more opportunities to try and take the overall win of the race. Today's explosive stage won't be as well suited, but the queen stage around Eibar and Arrate will see plenty longer ascents where he may be able to make the difference.