Mikel Landa Discussion Thread

[HelloDolly]

Landa said yesterday that he does not start GT at his strongest so I expect him to get stronger as he goes along ...but with only 3 stages for him to get back time on Doumulin then he may run out road before he can take pink

But its far from over ...by this next week it is possible the top 3 will be 3 different riders and then 3 different again in the final week

 

[Taxus4a]

Well that was... interesting. A bit crap today, though so were many of the other GC guys. In fact, the "big three" were all below par. We'll have to see how this pans out, but Landa cannot afford to lose too much time in the TT at all.

On the plus side, Sky were very good today. Lots of men protecting Landa until late on, and Roche and Nieve both finished along with that group.

Yeah, the team will be fine in the mountains, it's the flat where they haven't looked great. Mind you, as we say all the time, it doesn't matter how strong your team is if you haven't got someone to finish off the work. Before the race, none of us were expecting Landa to look as weak as this on a mountain top finish and it bodes terribly for the time trial in a few days time.

I expected him to lose the modest amount of time he did today on a weak "MTF".

Really? Why? The likes of Chaves and Pozzivivo were better than him and are also pure climbers. Heck, there are barely any tough MTF's in the entire race so where is he going to gain time?

This is a 3 weeks race. It is not a question of to be one day some seconds better than others...

Landa was OK, I think similar than in 2009 in this first mountain finish...Last year Giro started early with the mountains...second and thirs stages where medium mountains stages, and 5th was a mountain finish...that way Landa started very well and with that big team controlling the race.

If he ha an inspired day, he can put lot of time in the mountains, ot not, but he is one able to do it...

 

[Matteo.]

I expected a top 5...as result of some action in the steepest sections. Something that hasn't occured , so it's acceptable he has lost some seconds in the last 500m

 

[JRanton]

Well that was... interesting. A bit crap today, though so were many of the other GC guys. In fact, the "big three" were all below par. We'll have to see how this pans out, but Landa cannot afford to lose too much time in the TT at all.

On the plus side, Sky were very good today. Lots of men protecting Landa until late on, and Roche and Nieve both finished along with that group.

Yeah, the team will be fine in the mountains, it's the flat where they haven't looked great. Mind you, as we say all the time, it doesn't matter how strong your team is if you haven't got someone to finish off the work. Before the race, none of us were expecting Landa to look as weak as this on a mountain top finish and it bodes terribly for the time trial in a few days time.

I expected him to lose the modest amount of time he did today on a weak "MTF".

Really? Why? The likes of Chaves and Pozzivivo were better than him and are also pure climbers. Heck, there are barely any tough MTF's in the entire race so where is he going to gain time?

This is a 3 weeks race. It is not a question of to be one day some seconds better than others...

Landa was OK, I think similar than in 2009 in this first mountain finish...Last year Giro started early with the mountains...second and thirs stages where medium mountains stages, and 5th was a mountain finish...that way Landa started very well and with that big team controlling the race.

If he ha an inspired day, he can put lot of time in the mountains, ot not, but he is one able to do it...

No, he wasn't ok. For someone who is supposedly the strongest climber in the race, and needs to be by far the strongest in order to win it, he was terrible. In this shape he will lose a ridiculous amount of time in the time trial.

 

[JRanton]

Re:

Landa said yesterday that he does not start GT at his strongest so I expect him to get stronger as he goes along ...but with only 3 stages for him to get back time on Doumulin then he may run out road before he can take pink

But its far from over ...by this next week it is possible the top 3 will be 3 different riders and then 3 different again in the final week

He was already strong in the early stages of the last Giro, so I don't buy that. Ok, he probably got even stronger in that Giro but now he is coming from much further back in terms of form, so even a decent improvement won't be enough. He needs a dramatic improvement.

 

[Arredondo]

Landa will be on his best in the third week. No worries people. I agree with Taxus.

Fans of Nibali and Valverde should be more worried about their riders atm, then Landa fans should do.

 

[Taxus4a]

Really? Why? The likes of Chaves and Pozzivivo were better than him and are also pure climbers. Heck, there are barely any tough MTF's in the entire race so where is he going to gain time?[/quote]
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This is a 3 weeks race. It is not a question of to be one day some seconds better than others...

Landa was OK, I think similar than in 2009 in this first mountain finish...Last year Giro started early with the mountains...second and thirs stages where medium mountains stages, and 5th was a mountain finish...that way Landa started very well and with that big team controlling the race.

If he ha an inspired day, he can put lot of time in the mountains, ot not, but he is one able to do it...[/quote]
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No, he wasn't ok. For someone who is supposedly the strongest climber in the race, and needs to be by far the strongest in order to win it, he was terrible. In this shape he will lose a ridiculous amount of time in the time trial.[/quote]

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He doesnt need to be the strongest in all the mountain stages to win...

But of course, to win he need to make the difference in a couple of stages, not in this one...For a pure climber the first mountain stage after some days of flats is not the best. There are people like Pozzo and Chaves who are very good with hot (and there were 2 days in the hot) and they always are very strong in the first week.

He was ok, he wanst superb, but ok, a problem would be to lose today one minute, although it would have been very good for the race...Today Aru would have been better than him as he showed last Vuelta... but at the end in a real Dolomiti stage Landa is much better.

Landa is like Fuente, you never knows with him, but no so exagerate

 

[Isaak-Gabriel]

Maybe leadership isn't for him right now, like most of basque riders. Laiseka and Mayo have had a great careers with stages wins and good GC. Last year Aru was the leader, so Landa was mentally fresh, it's not the same thing.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

Landa said yesterday that he does not start GT at his strongest so I expect him to get stronger as he goes along ...but with only 3 stages for him to get back time on Doumulin then he may run out road before he can take pink

But its far from over ...by this next week it is possible the top 3 will be 3 different riders and then 3 different again in the final week

He was already strong in the early stages of the last Giro, so I don't buy that. Ok, he probably got even stronger in that Giro but now he is coming from much further back in terms of form, so even a decent improvement won't be enough. He needs a dramatic improvement.

But as I said last Giro has just one flat stage at the begining, and even that stage has a good climb...He was helping ary at a good level, but I dont think much better than today. He was with Nibali and he lost just some seconds today.

i dont know if he is going to win the Giro, but I think he is not going to lose a lot this sunday (but it depends the risk he will take) and he will be the strongest in the queen stages of the Giro...but I am not sure enough strong to win it. Last year was easier for him to win if Astana change his preferences. The situation was perfect, two againts one, the best team...this year he wont have the same situation...and it looks that we will have more contenders...

 

[therealthing]

Apparently Landa just did not feel great today, and is optimistic that he will return to top shape in the next few days. Well if he was still able to stay in the main group despite not feeling great that is not too bad.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

Maybe leadership isn't for him right now, like most of basque riders. Laiseka and Mayo have had a great careers with stages wins and good GC. Last year Aru was the leader, so Landa was mentally fresh, it's not the same thing.

Maybe, i have aid always that Landa has to demostrate he can manage for pressure, and that it was risky for SKy to sign him a a leader, but he is a magic rider, it is a rider to love.

I showed in Trentino he can win as leader, so good, but he must confirm here...

Anyway today he was ok, it doenst say anything for me about that issue.It could be or not.. I hope no.

But I said Landa last year in Burgos I just want from him to do magic thing in some magic stages.. I dont mind a lot if he lost time before or if he win the race at the end. i just want to enjoy with this kind of rider. But a it is normal he didnt agree with me, and I think that he wont have problems with pressure and he will be always close to the first positions...

 

[therealthing]

He just posted this weird video on Twitter where he looks like an old man. Don't speak Spanish but it looks like there is comedic intent behind the video: Take a look at @MikelLandaMeana's Tweet: https://twitter.com/MikelLandaMeana/status/730828175584940032?s=09

 

[Matteo.]

Re:

He just posted this weird video on Twitter where he looks like an old man. Don't speak Spanish but it looks like there is comedic intent behind the video: Take a look at @MikelLandaMeana's Tweet: https://twitter.com/MikelLandaMeana/status/730828175584940032?s=09

Maybe he's just read all JRanton optimistic posts

 

[JRanton]

Re: Re:

He just posted this weird video on Twitter where he looks like an old man. Don't speak Spanish but it looks like there is comedic intent behind the video: Take a look at @MikelLandaMeana's Tweet: https://twitter.com/MikelLandaMeana/status/730828175584940032?s=09

Maybe he's just read all JRanton optimistic posts

I think I'm being realistic. Have a day like today in the time trial, in just three days time, and his hopes of winning the race go up in smoke.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

He just posted this weird video on Twitter where he looks like an old man. Don't speak Spanish but it looks like there is comedic intent behind the video: Take a look at @MikelLandaMeana's Tweet: https://twitter.com/MikelLandaMeana/status/730828175584940032?s=09

He was just joking, he is quite shy, but with friends he is like that...

That is good, he is relaxed, He feels cofident, and with he is like that, he is very dangerous...

He say in the video:

Uff , I think this Giro is going to take its toll on (in the dictionary) (to affect myself)...Today 6th stage and they said I ve got bad face... ***... The last sentence has no translation into english, it is an spanish expresion with ironie,, he said, "joer.. y no queda nada!" literally is: and it is nothing left.. he want to say, there is a lot still to ride...(and I have god this bad face already...)

 

[yaco]

Is leader at the wrong race. Parcours is not hilly enough for Landa which then combined with 3 TT's is unsuitable - His major target in 2016 should have been the Vuelta.

 

[therealthing]

Re:

Is leader at the wrong race. Parcours is not hilly enough for Landa which then combined with 3 TT's is unsuitable - His major target in 2016 should have been the Vuelta.

He has more than enough time after the Giro to prepare for the Vuelta. You're right though, the parcours for this Giro is far from ideal for him.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

Landa said yesterday that he does not start GT at his strongest so I expect him to get stronger as he goes along ...but with only 3 stages for him to get back time on Doumulin then he may run out road before he can take pink

But its far from over ...by this next week it is possible the top 3 will be 3 different riders and then 3 different again in the final week

3? I count 8. Not all of them are big chances but Dumoulin also isnt a super strong climber so he could also loose time to Landa on stages like stages 10 or 18

Is leader at the wrong race. Parcours is not hilly enough for Landa which then combined with 3 TT's is unsuitable - His major target in 2016 should have been the Vuelta.

So you suggest he shouldnt have ridden the giro and only the Vuelta?

 

[Valv.Piti]

I don't know what to make of him, but then again, I don't know what to make out of anything in this Giro.

Seems like the most open race I can remember right now, but on the other hand, we haven't got into real mountains yet. Valverde, Nibali, Dumoulin, Landa, Zakarin, heck even Fuglsang and Uran can win and I wouldn't be seriously surprised.

Landa will put on a show in 1 or 2 stages. Thats all he needs.

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

Landa said yesterday that he does not start GT at his strongest so I expect him to get stronger as he goes along ...but with only 3 stages for him to get back time on Doumulin then he may run out road before he can take pink

But its far from over ...by this next week it is possible the top 3 will be 3 different riders and then 3 different again in the final week

3? I count 8. Not all of them are big chances but Dumoulin also isnt a super strong climber so he could also loose time to Landa on stages like stages 10 or 18

Is leader at the wrong race. Parcours is not hilly enough for Landa which then combined with 3 TT's is unsuitable - His major target in 2016 should have been the Vuelta.

So you suggest he shouldnt have ridden the giro and only the Vuelta?

Yes - Especially seeing Landa's delayed start to the season - Also Chavez shouldn't be in the Giro with the parcours - Chavez should be riding the TDF.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

Landa said yesterday that he does not start GT at his strongest so I expect him to get stronger as he goes along ...but with only 3 stages for him to get back time on Doumulin then he may run out road before he can take pink

But its far from over ...by this next week it is possible the top 3 will be 3 different riders and then 3 different again in the final week

3? I count 8. Not all of them are big chances but Dumoulin also isnt a super strong climber so he could also loose time to Landa on stages like stages 10 or 18

Is leader at the wrong race. Parcours is not hilly enough for Landa which then combined with 3 TT's is unsuitable - His major target in 2016 should have been the Vuelta.

So you suggest he shouldnt have ridden the giro and only the Vuelta?

Yes - Especially seeing Landa's delayed start to the season - Also Chavez shouldn't be in the Giro with the parcours - Chavez should be riding the TDF.

Seriously? You think this giro will harm his chances in the vuelta that much? And you think Sky will be satisfied if he rides one big race in the whole season?

 

[yaco]

Re:

I don't know what to make of him, but then again, I don't know what to make out of anything in this Giro.

Seems like the most open race I can remember right now, but on the other hand, we haven't got into real mountains yet. Valverde, Nibali, Dumoulin, Landa, Zakarin, heck even Fuglsang and Uran can win and I wouldn't be seriously surprised.

Landa will put on a show in 1 or 2 stages. Thats all he needs.

This edition of the Giro is hardly overflowing with mountains with only 2 MT finishes - Even if GC contenders get dropped on the last climb or two, they can get time back on the descents if they have team support.

 

[Brullnux]

Re: Re:

I don't know what to make of him, but then again, I don't know what to make out of anything in this Giro.

Seems like the most open race I can remember right now, but on the other hand, we haven't got into real mountains yet. Valverde, Nibali, Dumoulin, Landa, Zakarin, heck even Fuglsang and Uran can win and I wouldn't be seriously surprised.

Landa will put on a show in 1 or 2 stages. Thats all he needs.

This edition of the Giro is hardly overflowing with mountains with only 2 MT finishes - Even if GC contenders get dropped on the last climb or two, they can get time back on the descents if they have team support.

This Giro has more proper mountain stages than 2014, which was just MTF after MTF. This one has real, even if they could be harder mountain stages. The stage to Corvara is made for him and will destroy someone like Dumoulin if raced properly, same with Stage 13 and even Risoul and stage 20 is an altitude monster.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

I don't know what to make of him, but then again, I don't know what to make out of anything in this Giro.

Seems like the most open race I can remember right now, but on the other hand, we haven't got into real mountains yet. Valverde, Nibali, Dumoulin, Landa, Zakarin, heck even Fuglsang and Uran can win and I wouldn't be seriously surprised.

Landa will put on a show in 1 or 2 stages. Thats all he needs.

This edition of the Giro is hardly overflowing with mountains with only 2 MT finishes - Even if GC contenders get dropped on the last climb or two, they can get time back on the descents if they have team support.

This Giro has more proper mountain stages than 2014, which was just MTF after MTF. This one has real, even if they could be harder mountain stages. The stage to Corvara is made for him and will destroy someone like Dumoulin if raced properly, same with Stage 13 and even Risoul and stage 20 is an altitude monster.

Yep.

Pick his spots at stages 14 and 20. Easier said than done, but he probably will have to win the Giro there.

 

[Kwibus]

Re: Re:

I don't know what to make of him, but then again, I don't know what to make out of anything in this Giro.

Seems like the most open race I can remember right now, but on the other hand, we haven't got into real mountains yet. Valverde, Nibali, Dumoulin, Landa, Zakarin, heck even Fuglsang and Uran can win and I wouldn't be seriously surprised.

Landa will put on a show in 1 or 2 stages. Thats all he needs.

This edition of the Giro is hardly overflowing with mountains with only 2 MT finishes - Even if GC contenders get dropped on the last climb or two, they can get time back on the descents if they have team support.

Hardly overflowing, but there are really good ones though.