It was an open secret, but now it’s official: Mikel Landa changes gears and leaves Bahrain Victorious to join the ranks of Soudal Quick-Step and further reinforce the strong block that Patrick Lefevere will provide to Remco Evenepoel to fight for the big tours.
Through an original video, the Belgian team announced the arrival of Mikel Landa, who has signed for the next two seasons until 2025 and who will become Remco Evenepoel’s mainstay in the mountains at the Grand Tours after cementing himself as one of the great Vueltomaniacs of the last decade with two podiums at the Giro d’Italia Italia and two fourth places overall in the Tour de France. So this signing doesn’t change anything in Landa’s plans for this season The Murgia cyclist will compete in the Vuelta a EspaΓ±a, AS announced.
In statements collected by Soudal Quick-Step, Landa expressed his excitement at becoming a new member of The Wolfpack (La Manada), as the team calls themselves: βI am very excited to join Soudal Quick-Step, an incredible team that I have always had great respect for. From the outside, I’ve always been impressed by how their drivers always ride together in any situation and always support their leader. I’ve been on Italian, Spanish and British teams and now I want to get to know Belgian culture.”
In this way, 33-year-old Landa faces a new adventure in one of the great teams of the peloton, having gone through Euskaltel-Euskadi, Astana, Sky, Movistar and Bahrain-Victorious, where he now has to play a new role in order to do so to help Evenepoel, something Landa assumes herself: βI am happy and motivated by this new challenge and by the support of Remco in his goals. I come here with a lot of experience, especially at Grand Tours where I’ve fought for the podium several times or helped others to help. I’ve always felt comfortable supporting young runners and I know I will do the same. I will do my best in the coming seasons and I am convinced that I will help Remco a lot. and at the same time I hope that if they trust me, I can achieve a great result for myself too.β
Landa’s signing also fulfills Patrick Lefevere’s wishesPatron of the Soudal Quick-Step, celebrating the arrival of the Basque cyclist. βWe have known Mikel for a long time, ever since he turned pro he has always been present at the top of the toughest peaks of the Grand Tours and we believe he is the right man to join our team. while we turn our full attention to the battle for the general classification. We are looking forward to two very strong and successful seasons together.β