[ad_1]
Mikel Landa has mentioned he expects to race the Tour de France and Vuelta a España this season after his transfer to Soudal-QuickStep in 2024.
A double Giro d’Italia podium finisher, Landa was arguably the highest-profile signing within the Belgian staff’s wide-ranging recruitment drive this winter for extra riders to again Remco Evenepoel in his upcoming Tour de France debut.
However as Landa mentioned, even when he will probably be working for Evenepoel subsequent July, the 2024 Vuelta a España may effectively see the Basque racing as a GC contender.
“We’ve deliberate out the season on the whole and I’ll assist Remco within the Tour however then have my very own choices within the Vuelta,” Landa mentioned at a get-together with followers organised by Basque biking membership C.C. Amurrio.
“The staff coaching camps have gone very effectively, and I may see first-hand simply how a lot significance they provide to the Spring Classics as effectively, which is one thing new for me. “I’m feeling very motivated for this season, as a result of it’s a brand new problem.”
Landa has ridden as a staff employee on a number of events prior to now, starting from Fabio Aru within the 2015 Giro d’Italia – which didn’t stop him taking third total – to Chris Froome in Sky and Richad Carapaz in Movistar.
He has additionally taken fourth total within the Tour de France on two events and ridden 20 Grand Excursions, the primary within the Vuelta a España again in 2012.
Final 12 months, given the size of Jumbo-Visma’s GC domination, Landa’s fifth place total within the Vuelta, forward of native pre-race favorite Enric Mas (Movistar), was barely seen.
Nevertheless, the outcome was Landa’s greatest total so far within the Vuelta, the place his most memorable achievement stays his victory in Andorra’s ‘hardest Vuelta stage ever’ manner again in 2015.
“I believe I’m as a consequence of begin within the Volta ao Algarve,” Landa, who appeared on social media clad in his new staff package on New Yr’s Day, mentioned in the course of the chat with followers, “after which we’ll take it from there.”
[ad_2]