Mikel Landa saves the situation at the first big mountain stage of the Vuelta a Espana: "I take good feelings into the second week"

We are not encountering the best Mikel Landa in the Vuelta a Espana. Rather with the classic who does not end up giving his best when the Landismo turns on again. Nevertheless, he is holding up well in the early mountain stages and is not ruled out for the overall just yet.

Today he got briefly distanced by the group of favourites the second time up Alto de Hazallanas however, in cooperation with compatriot Carlos Rodriguez, he was able to re-join the group of leader Ben O'Connor, Primoz Roglic and Enric. That allowed the Soudal - Quick-Step rider to draw rather positive conclusions:

"I'm glad I was able to stay in the main group. At the finish, I even tried to gain a few seconds, but O'Connor was a bit faster. Nevertheless, it was a good day in some tough conditions, and being able to defend my place overall gives me a good feeling, as it's something I'll take into the second week of racing."

Mikel Landa arrives at the first rest day of the Vuelta a Espana 2024 as fifth in the general classification at 5:17 from the first place and less than a minute from the podium. After confessing before the race that he did not have the best feelings, he faces the second part of the race perfectly positioned in the general classification.