Mikel Landa has done it again. The strong (and much-loved) Basque climber Soudal-Quick-Step after yet another accident (you will remember it in the first stage of the Giro d'Italia), he managed to get up again. And after 88 days he left again with heart and determination.
His return to competition took place at Return to Burgos, a special race for him, where he achieved his first victory as a professional and also his last so far: it was 2021. Despite the difficulties, Landa chose Burgos to test his fitness in view of the Vuelta a Espana, demonstrating once again his tenacious character and what is now known as resilience.
Landa: one step at a time
Before the Vuelta a Burgos, Landa said he was "a little nervous" because a long time had passed since his last race: "It's been a long time since I wore a number," the Basque declared. I'm already happy to be back, but I don't know what to expect; the injury was complicated. This race is important to see if I can compete again.». The response was positive…
Landa seemed happy, but also very realistic and perhaps even tired. Tired from the work he'd put in to get back and from all the times he'd found himself in similar situations throughout his career.
"I'm under no illusions," Mikel told Diario AS. "I just want to see where I'm at, get into the rhythm, and forget about what happened in the previous race. If I can get to the start of the Vuelta, I'll be satisfied. I still have some doubts about how my back and legs will respond, so I repeat that I will see day by day.».
Keisse speaks
The one who directed Landa in Burgos was Iljo KeisseThe Flemish was struck by his tenacity and his story begins with a phone call with Landa himself.
"Mine was a serious accident," Keisse reported Landa's words. "Expectations were high, I was focused on doing my best...", meaning he found Mikel deeply affected.
Keisse was surprised by how Landa felt during the race: «The key moment was in the third and fourth stages in Burgos. These were episodes that told us a lot. Mikel had been very solid in the first part and, despite struggling on the final day, he managed to stay in the top twenty, in a tough stage with all the top riders. This told us that we were able to come back from an injury. And it's not something to be taken for granted today, with very strong young players who were there and with riders like Caruso who always push hard. And it's not easy, especially for the rider, nor for those around them. The body struggles to return to certain levels. Mikel is still building his fitness, but the work done so far has been excellent. And this gives me confidence."
As a former athlete who rode for great leaders, Keisse captures a fundamental mental aspect in Landa: «Mikel is a leader, a gentleman, easy to manage, demanding and flexible at the same time: elements that on the one hand demand a lot from oneself, but on the other facilitate psychological recovery. His inner strength, combined with experience and discipline, makes the difference in his continuous return to the top level».
How much work…
Landa's recovery after the crash at the Giro d'Italia, where he fractured his T11 thoracic vertebra (and suffered many other knocks), was long and patient. As sources report, Mikel underwent a period of rest and rehabilitation of approximately eight to ten weeks, during which he also used a corset., he walked and gradually resumed training, first on rollers and then on the road. In short, he started from scratch.
Between rest and rehabilitation, Mikel began getting back in the saddle in June. The process was not only physical: Landa had to live with doubts and fearsHe himself, as mentioned, had doubts about the reaction of his legs and back.
"During the Vuelta a Burgos," Keisse continues, "I had the opportunity to observe him up close. He was mentally focused, aware of his limits, but you could see he was also willing to compete. The way he fought towards Alto de Las Campas, when he went on the attack, showed an athlete who was anything but submissive. During the climb he wasn't explosive, but he maintained clarity, calm and determination, signs of recovery not only physically but also emotionally."
Vuelta: no classification
At this point it is natural to ask: What kind of Vuelta will Landa be able to ride? From what he's said, his current goal isn't specific; the most important thing is to have him at the start and, as he himself said, "See where I stand." That's fine, rightly so. In his situation, it's not even fair to ask for more.
«As for what kind of Vuelta I can do – concludes Keisse answering our question – I think it's clear: Landa will not aim for the general classification, because that would be unrealistic. What we expect is for him to try and fight for a few stages. In the first few days, it'll be important not to waste too much time and not to put pressure on himself. He'll have to try to stay in the top ten or twenty positions, but above all, to regain his sense of humor and not stress himself out.
His goal will be to try to win a stage. This is every rider's dream: cross the finish line first with your arms raisedI think it's very nice and also realistic for him. So we'll try to select a few stages. We'll see what this Vuelta brings: it's a different approach for Mikel, but with a rider like him it can work very well."
