"The probability is not zero, but very low" - Quick-Step CEO says about Mikel Landa's start at Tour de France

Mikel Landa was for a long time the only victim among the GC favourites at this Giro d'Italia - until today when Giulio Ciccone's journey at the Corsa Rosa ended in the streets of Novo Gorica. Since the abandon of their Basque leader, team Soudal - Quick-Step has been cruising through the Giro rather anonymously.

Team manager Jurgen Fore hopes that better days await his riders in the third week of Giro. "Of course, it's a big blow. You can't just replace someone like Mikel," he told WielerFlits. "It's then important to quickly switch to another plan and go through these three weeks with the right expectations." What are the weapons left at Soudal - Quick-Step's disposal now, with Landa out of the race?

"We have to approach the Giro on the offensive," Fore knows. "Many young riders have a role to play, as do the more experienced James Knox, Mattia Cattaneo, and Ethan Hayter. The guys have to seize these opportunities and slip into the breakaways. And Paul Magnier is capable of handling sprints. Every day is a new chance for success."

But the new CEO of Soudal - Quick-Step also addressed the issue at hand that is the Tour de France. In original plans, Mikel Landa was expected to play a key role in Remco Evenepoel's bid for overall victory. But is a participation at the Grande Boucle even an option?

"The prognosis is that he will have to stay very calm for four weeks. Then we will see if he can train and, if so, how. Then, we have to be honest: it will be very close to the Tour. The probability is not zero, but very low."

How does Landa's process of recovery look at the moment, two weeks since his crash? "We were in contact on Monday and the pain was not too intense," Fore reports optimistic news. "On Tuesday, he was able to cautiously resume walking with a corset and do some exercises in the pool. It is positive that he is already eager to start making plans again, but there is still a long way to go."