Mikel Landa: I expected to lose more time on Giro d'Italia first stage
Mikel Landa says he thought he would finish more than 21 seconds down on Giro d'Italia rival Vincenzo Nibali in the first stage of the Grand Tour race
Team Sky's Giro d'Italia started as planned, if not better, in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn. Their classification leader Mikel Landa says that he thought that he would lose more time to start rival Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) in the opening 9.8-kilometre time trial.
Landa placed 67th at 11-43 minutes, 40 seconds behind stage winner and new leader Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin). To Nibali, who rode 11-22, he lost 21 seconds.
"It was good for me," Landa told Cycling Weekly. "I didn't lose so much, I expected to lose more, maybe around 40 seconds. This was good for me."
Sky's leader lost 21 seconds to Nibali, 16 to Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), 10 to Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEdge) and seven seconds to Rigoberto Urán (Cannondale).
"We never thought we were going to win the stage today with Mikel, we were realistic," Sky sports director Dario Cioni explained.
"It was how we thought. He thought he'd lose more and I thought less. I said he'd lose 15 to 20 seconds, so it was in line with what we thought. Out of all three time trials in this Giro d'Italia, this one could’ve been the worst one for him based on the type of effort needed. In my opinion, he did a great time trail and took advantage of the work that he did from January through the start of the Giro."
Preview: Giro d'Italia 2016
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Landa lost four minutes to Alberto Contador in the long time trial last year when he was racing for team Astana. Sky, since signing him, have worked with him to be ready for the Giro and in the second week, its 40.5-kilometre time trial through Chianti's hills.
"I don't think he'll gain time in the Chianti time trial on Nibali, but it will be in line with today. Maybe he will lose 20 seconds again, but over 50 minutes that is better than 20 seconds over 11 minutes," added Cioni.
"Clearly, we are trying to limit our losses in the first half, and maybe in the first half we will even be able to even gain on some tricky stages. If in Chianti he is still there in the classification, we are in a good spot."
Who are the favourites for the 2016 Giro d'Italia?
Landa helped team-mate Fabio Aru place second last year, won two mountain stages and clawed back one minute on Contador to place third overall. This year, he trained for Chianti and to win the Giro overall in the mountainous third week.
As a good sign, he left behind Nibali and his gang of Astana team-mates to win the Giro del Trentino stage race two weeks ago.
"The Chianti stage will be a different effort than today's. Today was for an explosive rider, and that's not me,” added Landa. “I'm not sure how much I will lose in Chianti, but I'm feeling comfortable after today. Then, I'll make my attacks in the climbs."
Thank you for reading 20 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.
-
The Oura ring reviewed: is this wellness tracker helpful to cyclists?
With its focus on recovery and wellness, the Oura ring offers unique insights but is it worth the investment over other wearables?
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Shimano RC703 road shoe review: sleek, stiff and robust
Shimano's second-tier offering combines a rigid carbon sole with handy Boa dials and protective toe caps
By Sam Gupta Published
-
Tom Pidcock signs for Q36.5 Pro Cycling after Ineos Grenadiers departure
Olympic MTB champion hails 'start of something special' in three-year deal
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure
'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We've had a difficult year, I've had a difficult year' - Tom Pidcock hints at Ineos Grenadiers tension
Speaking at Rouleur Live, the 25-year-old also revealed that he hasn't enjoyed racing at the last two Tours de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers to partner with German development team for 2025
Ineos set to partner with German Continental squad Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank as an official development partner
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?
After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since June
Announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I never thought I'd really leave the team': Luke Rowe opens up on his reasons for departing Ineos Grenadiers
Welsh road captain is heading to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale to become a sports director
By Adam Becket Published