"The probability is not zero, but very low" - Quick-Step CEO says about Mikel Landa's start at Tour de France
Cycling
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."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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