Mikel Landa speaks out after Giro d'Italia crash: "I’ll be at La Vuelta, no doubt"

Mikel Landa made an appearance on Eurosport’s post-stage coverage following his unfortunate early exit from the 2025 Giro d’Italia. The Soudal - Quick-Step rider, who was leading his team for this year’s edition, suffered a severe crash in the opening days and was forced to abandon the race.

Joining Alberto Contador on La Montonera, Landa shared an update on his recovery: “I’m feeling a little better every day. The pain’s easing, and the brace I’m wearing lets me get up, walk around, and do quite a few things, so the days are going by a bit faster now. Mentally, I’m clearer too. I’m coping better as time goes on.”

Looking ahead, he added: “Next week I’ll have an X-ray to see how the fracture is healing and to make sure nothing’s shifted. If everything looks good, I’m hoping to take the brace off in the fourth week, or at least start riding on the indoor trainer. I may not be back on the road yet, but getting on the trainer would be a big step forward.”

Contador then asked the question on everyone’s mind: Would he be ready in time for the Vuelta a Espana? “Yes, absolutely. I’ll be at La Vuelta. It’s a serious injury — a vertebra, which is always a bit scary — but it’s a clean fracture, stable, and everything’s going well. If all goes to plan, I hope to be back on the road by mid-June. My goal is to make it to La Vuelta and turn this whole situation around.”

Landa also weighed in on what he’s been seeing in this year’s Giro, drawing a parallel to his own experience in 2015: “Watching Del Toro reminds me of the 2015 Giro, the one Alberto won. Back then, I had better legs than Aru, but out of respect I sometimes held back and didn’t race for myself. I see a bit of that in him now. He responds to attacks, but always seems to look over at Juan [Ayuso], who’s officially the team leader. We’ll see how that dynamic plays out in this final week.” 

Landa had some advice for the young Giro leader, Isaac del Toro: “He needs to find a rival, shake the tree, and stick with them. Someone like Carapaz or Bernal — they’re riding with a lot of courage. He should take advantage of that and go on the offensive.”

Finally, when asked about the tricky situation at UAE Team Emirates — with Ayuso and Del Toro both riding near the top — Landa didn’t shy away: “Yes, absolutely. In the end, for Ayuso, attacking your own teammate when he’s wearing the maglia rosa… that would just look bad.”