They may not yet be the great mountains of the Alps, but in fact today with the Santena - Turin, we begin to climb. And when we talk about climbs Mikel Landa he is at ease. His sporting director, Alberto Volpi, he's driving it great.
And Landa, we say without too many reservations, needs a guide. Last Sunday, too, he almost ruined everything. He crashed. But he managed to get to the front. Volpi will have to protect him from himself. But the boy and his engine are not something to be discussed.
The threat of Turin
«Yes, the other day Landa took a risk, but you also know that in the economy of a Giro there is always a more or less lucky day "—says Volpi—and luckily for us, it wasn't anything serious. Last year was much worse. Let's just say we've settled our bad luck."
"I'm confident because the Giro route suits him. And I'm already confident this weekend, which features two challenging stages. And I'm especially worried about the one in Turin, which is less harsh, but also less linear. It's a tricky stage, not suitable for climbers, but for those who pedal hard uphill. And there's a big difference."
Volpi knows a thing or two, and the fact that he's more concerned about this hamlet than the Cogne one "conforms" to what we've been arguing: the planimetric (and tactical) pitfalls.
Towards the third week
But above all, it will be the third week that will decide everything and will truly tell us whether Landa has made this leap in quality. From Tour of the AlpsMikel spoke very little, as if he wanted to keep to himself and not attract too much attention. Even in the mornings before the start, in the mixed zone, it is quite telegraphic.
"Starting from the rest day," Volpi explains, "the last week is really tough, and I think the games will be decided sooner. But the penultimate stage (that of the Marmolada, ed.) he will still be able to say something, in case someone wanted to make amends or extend the lead a bit on his opponents. So I think it's a well-structured path for us and for our rider.
"Compared to other years, we're getting to this point in a good way, I'd say, despite the crashes. And believe me, the way he crashed, it could have been much worse. He crashed badly. Then, on the way back down, I think he took a turn too far to the inside, hitting some dirt and... He fell again, this time breaking the cleat on his shoe. But he hasn't lost his head."
And many have underlined this point. It was easy to jump headfirst. Tackling such a tough, potentially decisive climb with different shoes isn't easy. (An opposing sports director pointed out to us that Landa's boot wasn't his, ed.) A true sign of great form.
More courage
"If I had to give him a grade? So far I'd give him a seven because he's been good, but no more because I hope he can be more courageous."
And this, to be honest, surprised us a bit. Landa's problem is usually that he attacks a bit too much, he exposes himself a lot. Volpi would like him to be more aggressive.
«Yes, yes… I hope he can be more courageous because he has the legs to do certain things. But to do things that go from good to exceptional takes courage. I expect a little more unscrupulousness."
And to be unscrupulous you also need a team, and Landa certainly has one. Ineos-Grenadiers is perhaps a little stronger overall, but not on the climbs. Two climbers like Buitrago e bilbao hair nobody has them.
«We are well equipped – says Volpi – but also the Bora Hansgrohe, for example, is very strong and also unpredictable. They've won two stages, they're racing with serenity... They may not have the super climber, but together they make the difference. And anyway also the Ineos Grenadiers It's still a great team. I expect a very balanced group, and the winner will be someone who's very strong on climbs."
