gullIt was in Italy that I became a grand tour rider.
The one who also wore the best climber jersey in 2017 is therefore delighted to return to Italy, while his program includes the Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of Catalonia as preparation (as well as a course at altitude in Sierra Navada). Even if with the already announced presence of the Yates brothers, Ayuso, Carapaz, Gee, Tiberi, Gaudu and Bardet, the competition promises to be fierce. “There will be a lot of big names at the start”smiles the man who will be surrounded in particular by the French Valentin Paret-Peintre and Paul Magnier on the Italian roads.
Gravel, 42km time trial, sprints and stages for punchers: Wout van Aert will have a blast at the 2025 Giro
And even if there are “only” 42 kilometers of chrono integrated into the transalpine course, Landa has already worked on the exercise this winter, with Koen Pelgrim, his trainer (who is also that of Remco Evenepoel). “I want to concentrate on the time, which is my weak point. I have already carried out wind tunnel tests this winter and my position is faster and more comfortable than in the past.”
-New lieutenant of Remco on the Tour
After the Giro, Landa will resume his role as lieutenant for Evenepoel in the Tour de France, as in 2024. “I will have personal opportunities during the first part of the season then I will support Remco fully on the Grande Boucle”specifies the one who “good fun” in this role last year.
Landa, a Basque star ready to do anything for Evenepoel: “He wants to learn French to be close to Remco”
A regular at the Vuelta, which he competed in for the last four seasons, Landa is not expected to participate this season. “I want to change a little”, he specifies. But it’s not the desire that he lacks. “I would like to participate in the three grand tours in a single season, as some, like Marino Lejarreta, have done in the past”he finishes when asked what challenge he still wishes to achieve by the end of his career. “If I don’t do it, I will regret it. But with the high demands of today’s cycling, it’s not easy. It still attracts me but I still have a little time to do it…” Proof that he is not yet thinking about retirement.
