Mikel Landa ran three races this year: Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, Vuelta a Andalucía and Tirreno-Adriático. 7th, 2nd and 7th, respectively, was his position in the general classification of the aforementioned races. Now, after a few days at home after returning from Italy, he is preparing his next two appointments, which will be in Catalonia and the Basque Country.
-What are the next tests that you are going to play?
-The Volta a Catalunya and the Itzulia, a very special race for me.
– Good feelings after the Vuelta a Andalucía and the Tirreno-Adriatico, right?
-Yes, I am with the best but still what I need is to finish off and win a stage. In Andalusia I already got a podium.
-In Tirreno he attacked Roglic. It seems that he and Pogacar are at a higher level, right?
-They are two great runners who dominate the races but we have to be attentive in case they fail one day.
-What other races can you tell us that you are going to run?
-For now, the Tour de France. Then, in the second part of the season, we will see what we choose and what we discard.
-The Return?
-It is still too early to announce if we will participate in a race in August. We will see it. It is a race that I really like but I want to get to it in good condition.
-A pity that the Euskaltel Euskadi has not been invited, right?
-Yes, what are we going to do? The invitation system is what it is and we will have to accept it. I think that the Foundation is working well and it is a pity that they cannot be there.
-Very excited about starting the Tour from Euskadi, right?
-Of course, it is a historical fact and we hope that everything turns out well.
-Have you been recognized for any of your stages?
-Yes, but they are routes that I already know very well. For example, the one in Vitoria-San Sebastián is quite similar to the Summer Classic. I’ve revisited the first one quite a bit because it hits me close to home, with that finish on Pike. It will be a difficult day.
-People can’t imagine what an event like this means, right?
-It moves more than 3,000 people, all the hotels are full, the impact on the hotel industry is incredible and you can be seen from anywhere in the world.
-Do you understand the criticism of grassroots cycling when you say that you also have to take care of the grassroots and stuff?
-Of course, everyone defends their own and you have to understand that if there are no boys and girls who start in this sport, the future will be complicated.
-Speaking of future. When will you talk to Bahrain-Victorious about his continuity or not?
-Well we’ll see. It also depends on how the season goes in terms of results. We haven’t started negotiating yet but we’ll have to do it soon because this is my last year.