"My back is causing me problems – It's still quite weak" – Mikel Landa struggling through the pain at Vuelta a Espana 2025

Mikel Landa is no stranger to overcoming adversity in his long and illustrious career. From heartbreaking crashes to injuries that have kept him sidelined for months, the Basque climber has consistently demonstrated his resilience. But in 2025, his comeback story has taken on a new chapter of unexpected difficulty.

After suffering a high-speed crash on the final descent of Stage 1 in the Giro d’Italia — resulting in fractured vertebrae — many feared Landa’s season could be over before it had even begun. The immediate aftermath of the crash painted a grim picture: Landa was clearly in severe pain, and with the fractures in his back, it was speculated that he would be forced into a lengthy period of rest, likely ruling him out of the rest of the season’s Grand Tours.

However, the 35-year-old rider, whose career has been marked by setbacks, would not let this injury define him. After a few weeks of rest, Landa was back on the bike. Though far from his best form, he slowly began the long road back to competitive racing. And now, he finds himself lining up for the Vuelta a Espana, although as he admits, things are far from easy.

Landa's recent comments after the eighth stage of the Vuelta reveal just how much pain he’s still managing, despite his return to action. Speaking shortly after crossing the finish line in Zaragoza, the veteran climber candidly admitted that while his legs feel "fine", his back remains a serious issue.

“I'm doing well in the legs, but my back is causing me problems,” Landa said in comments collected by Mundo Deportivo. "It's something I expected before the race, but it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with when you’re in the thick of it."

For a rider who thrives in the mountains and often rides with a distinctive explosiveness, such pain can be debilitating, as it directly impacts his power output and ability to perform at his best.

Though still far from his best, Landa’s presence in the Vuelta is pivotal. The Spanish race has always been a proving ground for climbers, and even if Landa is not competing for the overall title, he could be a key asset for Soudal - Quick-Step in the battle for stage wins. His experience, combined with his ability to go deep into the mountains, makes him a dangerous rider in the right conditions.

“I’m trying to take it one stage at a time,” Landa explained, acknowledging that his back, still recovering from the serious injury, is a limiting factor. "The team’s been very supportive, and the daily treatments from the physiotherapists are helping, but I can feel the pain setting in as the race goes on."

Whether Landa can recover to his best or if this Vuelta will serve merely as a stepping stone towards bigger goals is yet to be seen. What is clear, however, is that he is not done yet, and as long as there are mountains to climb, Mikel Landa will continue to fight, injury or not.