“Why not?” - Mikel Landa considers racing all three Grand Tours in 2026

With several major World Tour structures already unveiled for 2026, including UAE Team Emirates and Lidl-Trek, the launch calendar is entering its final stretch. This Thursday saw Soudal - Quick-Step's media day in Calpe and here, Mikel Landa revealed that he is considering racing all three Grand Tours in 2026.

The headline news from the Belgian squad’s presentation was the confirmation of long-term stability for the project. In a landscape where some teams have struggled to stay in the WorldTour — Arkea, for example, disappeared this season due to financial issues — Soudal Quick-Step announced Soudal’s continued title sponsorship through the end of 2030. A guarantee for the future despite the departure of its leading figure, Remco Evenepoel, who now races for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe.

Far from a roster overhaul, the team has chosen a clearly conservative strategy, partly because the biggest market opportunities vanished quickly. In that context, Valentin Paret-Peintre recently extended his contract through 2028, while Paul Magnier, 21 and the second rider with the most wins last season — only Tadej Pogacar had more — prolonged his deal to 2029. For the Grand Tours, Mikel Landa will be the main reference point, while the structure banks on a step forward from Ilan Van Wilder.

The rider from Álava was one of the day’s protagonists and sounded upbeat about his condition after a season hampered by setbacks. “I’m good. I think the injury is healed and I’m happy I could finish last season racing La Vuelta and Lombardia. After the preseason I’m ready for what’s next,” Landa explained. He had carried issues from his withdrawal at the Giro d’Italia into a Vuelta a España he finished with credit, including a stage second place against Egan Bernal.

With his start at the Giro d’Italia 2026 already confirmed — aiming to banish the bitter memory of his last appearance, marked by a stage 1 DNF in Albania — and with the Tour de France also on the horizon, Landa left the door open to a move that could define his season. “All three Grand Tours in one year? It’s something I’ve never done, and I had the chance in my career. I’ll never be 25 again, but I feel energised and, why not? I’m keeping the door open,” the Basque rider hinted.

The Basque climber will not be required to assist Evenepoel anymore, whilst he will be having a free role within the team that looks to regain its foothold in the classics whilst prioritizing its sprinters.