Vincenzo Nibali targets long Giro d'Italia time trial for advantage over Mikel Landa
The Italian is hoping to take advantage of the 40.5km time trial on stage nine to make gains over his Spanish rival
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter


Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) can climb the high Alpine passes with ease, but he wants to take advantage of Team Sky rival Mikel Landa in the Chianti time trial mid-way through the Giro d'Italia this month. He says it is Landa's "weak point" in the Giro that starts tomorrow in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.
After winning the Tour de France in 2014, the 31-year-old Sicilian is back to target a second Giro d'Italia title to add to his 2013 victory. Standing in his way are rivals like Spaniard Landa, who placed third last year helping then Astana teammate Fabio Aru to second place behind Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).
"It's in my favour, clearly," Nibali said of the 40.5km time trial coming on stage nine.
"I've been better than him in time trials, and it's been a weak point for him. I'm not only racing against Landa, also against Alejandro Valverde, Tom Dumoulin and the others."
Nibali odds are 11/8, according to Bet365. Landa is listed close behind at 2/1, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) 13/2 and Rigoberto Urán (Cannondale) 13/1.
Watch: Who are the favourites for the 2016 Giro d'Italia?
Sky signed Landa over the winter with the Giro d'Italia in mind. However, the British WorldTour team knew he had to work on his time trialling if he is to have a chance at winning a Grand Tour.
Last year, he lost four minutes to Alberto Contador in the Giro's long time trial.
With only one test so far, when he placed two minutes back in a País Vasco stage, it is uncertain how much Landa has improved. His climbing appears to be as good as ever, however, as he just won the overall of the mountainous Giro del Trentino.
Nibali, perhaps fearing the two are equally matched in the mountains, aims at the time trial through the hills south of Florence in the Giro's second week.
"Landa said that the last week's mountains favour him? The last week is hard for everyone, I don't believe it favours anyone," Nibali added.
"Landa is a great climber. He showed last year, especially in the last week. He's the man to beat.
"Important stages are those in the mountains, for sure, but at times it's those simple stages that can be the most dangerous. You have to be ready all the time. The first one could be the time trial.
"There are hard fast bits downhill and changes in rhythm with the uphill sections. Already, you can see there who's a player for the overall; who can ride for 21 days."
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Specialized Align II review - budget friendly helmet brings MIPS to the people
Not only do you get MIPS at an almost unbelievably low price, but this helmet is well made and a good fit too
By Paul Grele • Published
-
Jess Roberts leads the Brits with Points Race Silver at the European Track Championships
Team GB take two Bronze medals in the men’s Team Pursuit and Team Sprint the first day of finals in Munich
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Italian neo-pro Michele Gazzoli banned for one year for 'non-intentional' anti-doping violation
23-year-old has Astana-Qazaqstan contract terminated as a result of sanction
By Adam Becket • Published
-
‘I was rubbing shoulders with Nibali and Valverde’ - Oliver Knight gets starstruck at Vuelta a Burgos
UAE Team Emirates rider makes big step up in key race before the Vuelta a España
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'He's going to win some big bike races' - Tom Pidcock hails Sam Watson as he turns pro with Groupama-FDJ
U23 British National champion has impressed his French team and more besides
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Adam Yates and Ineos Grenadiers discuss contract extension with Briton not assured of same Grand Tour opportunities
The Briton joined Ineos Grenadiers two years ago and is thought to be attracting interest from elsewhere
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Leo Hayter joins Ineos Grenadiers as stagiaire before turning pro with team in 2023
Baby Giro winner will move to highest level next season alongside his brother with British team
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Dave Brailsford admits Geraint Thomas proved Ineos management wrong at Tour de France
Ineos Grenadiers director of sport lauds performance of Welshman along with Tom Pidcock
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-