Giro d'Italia 2025, Landa at the start: "But I also dream of the World Championships in Rwanda"

Rome, 15 January 2025 - The forced forfeit of Remco Evenepoel, struggling with a more complicated rehabilitation than expected after the accident during training at the beginning of December, the rise of Mikel Landa, ready to live the Giro d'Italia 2025 as captain of the Soudal Quick Step.  

Landa's statements

  To the microphones of Mark, the Spaniard spoke about his aspirations for a very important season after some complicated years and the rebirth marked by a 2024 lived with a supporting role. Giro d'Italia, Yes, but also much more in the menu of the class of '89, than before Durres will be on the way Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico e Tour of Catalonia before a period of preparation with a view also to those World Cup in Rwanda which, due to the shape of the course, are also tempting for pure climbers. "It will be a very tough course and I would like to be there. I don't know if I will be able to be competitive, but I hope so. It's difficult to say in what condition I will arrive at a late-season event, but I know that I will do everything to be at the top".

Great news for lovers of 'Landism', that philosophy of life which sees efforts not always rewarded as they should also due to some presumed character flaw: an aspect that perhaps the person directly concerned, at the court of a team like Soudal Quick Step, despite the contract expiry not far away, is trying to file down. "Soon I will have to sit down and talk with the team, also because the transfer market is moving fast. I really feel and I think that this could be the best place to continue my career even beyond the 2026. However, I feel like I want to clarify the issue soon to feel better on a psychological level and to understand what options I have available. At the moment, however, I am calm - continues Landa - and I'm sure we'll find an agreement. Clearly we make great efforts in this sport and so I won't lie and say that the economic aspect doesn't interest me". An aspect that is becoming increasingly central in a cycling in which the voices of investors are increasing, especially fromSaudi Arabia. "I don't know much about it, but if they bring benefits then they are welcome. At the same time, this sport has some classic cornerstones that are based for example on rivalries and that it is right to protect. Another aspect to protect is free entry to the public, given that people already make so many sacrifices to follow us. Furthermore, we should work on inequalities, which are already many in World TourThere are teams like theUAE Team Emirates who have a huge budget and make life difficult for smaller teams like Soudal Quick Step and it's not fair for managers who have spent their entire lives serving this sport". Finally, a thought about the post-retirement. "I'm thinking about it and I know I'll have to find a way to fill the hours I spend on the bike. I don't think I'll become a sports director: in this world I don't see myself in any other role apart from the rider".

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