Mikel Landa Discussion Thread

[GraftPunk]

Re:

Leave, get healthy, win the TdS and then inflict pain on Froome's enemies and grab some stages while he's at it.

This. I dislike Sky and Landa actually, but I was looking forward to seeing a proper field of climbers battle it out. Now due to outside factors it feels like we've been a bit robbed. I'd rather him recover and heal for TDF or Vuelta and make some of the races then when he's 100%.

 

[yaco]

Wondering if Landa has a corked leg - If so doubtful he can continue.

 

[GraftPunk]

Re:

Wondering if Landa has a corked leg - If so doubtful he can continue.

The problem is it takes a few days to figure that out and if he overuses in the meantime he risks ossificans. That's assuming it's simply that level of contusion.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I'm very disappointed about him being robbed of the opportunity to show that he has the level he indicated in 2015. Or even to show that he doesn't.

He has so far proven to be one of Sky's worst investments. They paid for a guy who would seriously contend at the Giro, be the dominant climbing domestique at the Tour and win various other races. All they've got for their money so far is a Giro warm up race in 2016 and the climbing performances of a random Sky climbing helper. It's not all his fault. He has been unlucky. But it has been partly his fault and it's hard to see him staying at Sky. They've no reason to offer him a new contract unless it's on very much reduced terms, while he will know that there will be at least a couple of teams out there willing to take the chance of offering him guaranteed leadership and a commensurate salary again. His is still young after all.

 

[Red Rick]

It's very easy for me to see Landa go back to Astana. Unless Astana are in serious money trouble. But then I thought they'd go for Contador and I never heard anything like it.

Many other teams could be interested as well. Landa shouldn't be very expensive for what can do if he gets it right, he doesn't need to go for the Tour, and he's better than every single secondary GT leader on any team. Only problematic teams would be Sky, Movistar, TLJ, Bahrein and Orica.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

It's very easy for me to see Landa go back to Astana. Unless Astana are in serious money trouble. But then I thought they'd go for Contador and I never heard anything like it.

Many other teams could be interested as well. Landa shouldn't be very expensive for what can do if he gets it right, he doesn't need to go for the Tour, and he's better than every single secondary GT leader on any team. Only problematic teams would be Sky, Movistar, TLJ, Bahrein and Orica.

If he's cheap enough every team would be happy to have him. But, assuming no big reversal of fortune in the second half of this season, the number of teams prepared to hire him for 2018 on the basis of form shown only in 2015, with money and status reflecting that long past form, is likely to be considerably smaller.

As for whether he's better than "every single secondary GT leader" on any team bar five, that too largely depends on whether we assume that 2015 is his usual level. The closer a rider is to high level performances the more he can demand pay and status based on those performances. The further he gets from them, the less relevant they are in assessing his level. Nobody is going to pay Carlos Betancur a Paris -Nice winning Ardennes contender's wage, nor are they going to hire Thomas de Gendt on the basis that he can podium the Giro.

I would assume that Landa thinks he is still worth the big bucks and that he should be the absolute leader for the Giro (or Tour), so his choices will be more limited than the number of teams he would improve (i.e. All of them)

 

[lenric]

Landa's value is lower than in 2015 obviously.
I don't know about Astana, since they already have Aru and with Lopez, I doubt they'd be willing to hire another guy for GC.
I dunno, but if I had to put my money on some WT team, I'd say BMC*

*if we forget the fact that BMC GC riders tend to be all-rounders, instead of pure climbers

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

Landa's value is lower than in 2015 obviously.
I don't know about Astana, since they already have Aru and with Lopez, I doubt they'd be willing to hire another guy for GC.
I dunno, but if I had to put my money on some WT team, I'd say BMC*

*if we forget the fact that BMC GC riders tend to be all-rounders, instead of pure climbers

The Astana rumour seems premised on another rumour, that Aru will leave, turning out to be true. If Aru stays, it seems unlikely that they would add Landa.

The list of relatively high budget teams with a GC focus that doesn't have their leadership roles allotted isn't all that long. BMC are definitely one. Astana, if Aru leaves. Trek, if Contador leaves. Katusha perhaps. Or Bahrain. Most WT teams aren't really in the market for a well paid second GT leader. They don't have the money (Cannondale) or have other priorities (QS, Bora) or have someone better (Movistar).

 

[lenric]

Aru can leave Astana? I didn't know, it kinda surprises me.
But if he's set to leave, I can see him going either to Trek (since Contador may aim the Giro in 2018), or to Bahrain, to be the team leader in 2019.

 

[Robert5091]

https://www.teamsky.com/article/thomas-and-landa-to-fight-on
"to fight on"? Landa should be recovering at home.

 

[DanielSong39]

Looks like a quick recovery; I didn't think he would break an hour in the time trial. Based on today's effort I suppose he's good enough to continue in the race and perhaps go stage hunting.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Very good performance today by Mikel. Feeling much better today! Im so glad, maybe we will see his true level in the last week, he should have his eyes on Stilfserjoch x2. Maybe already on the attack tomorrow..

 

[Mr.White]

Pretty dumb riding today.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Pretty dumb riding today.

Yes, but I never really think he expected to win the stage. I also feel like he is the kinda rider that wants to win 'the right way', so its not surprising he went for it. Will be surprised and disappointed if he doesnt win one stage this Giro. he won't have many opportuniies later in the year - maybe an Amador-esque role for Froome in La Vuelta, but thats it.

 

[Valv.Piti]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL17ryqvQG0

2.10, Laura Meseguer is into Landa.

 

[lenric]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL17ryqvQG0

2.10, Laura Meseguer is into Landa.

Tbh, I kind of would be into her as well.

 

[Valv.Piti]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL17ryqvQG0

2.10, Laura Meseguer is into Landa.

Tbh, I kind of would be into her as well.

Laura is life

 

[staubsauger]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL17ryqvQG0

2.10, Laura Meseguer is into Landa.

Tbh, I kind of would be into her as well.

Laura is life

Oh wow, wish she was that flirty towards me! <3

Landa's girlfriend ain't gonna be amused though!

 

[dusty red roads]

That's flirty? You guys are nuts! :lol:

 

[staubsauger]

She's blinking like a 14 year old girl. Of course that's kinda flirty!

 

[shalgo]

Yes, am I missing something? She is looking at him and nodding while he talks. How is that flirting?

 

[staubsauger]

Well, flirting probably is a hyperbole. Most likely it ain't on purpose. But she's certainly charmed by Landani! To be honest I never saw her doing that before. Not even with Señor Contador.

 

[Angliru]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL17ryqvQG0

2.10, Laura Meseguer is into Landa.

She's definitely a cutee. I don't think she was flirting though but then again I've been told that I'm rather slow in perceiving those things!

 

[kingjr]

She looks a bit bored if anything.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Looks like she wants a piece of Landa to me (not necessarily flirting, just admiring). Then again Im not a genius by any means when it comes to girls. :lol:

I hope he will be in contention for the win or even better win the stage, but its not exactly a Landa-esque stage...