Movistar’s joint leader Mikel Landa is hoping for a quick return to racing after he crashed out of his first race of 2019.
Landa, who is set to target both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia this season, was caught up in a crash in the closing kilometres of Challenge Mallorca.
The Basque came down with 15km to go in the first of four one-day races on the Spanish island, suffering a broken collarbone in the fall.
He is expected to undergo surgery within 48 hours of the crash, which happened on Thursday (January 31).
Landa has not finished a race since the final stage of the Tour de France last summer, failing to complete his last seven races due to crashes.
The 29-year-old told Ciclo21: “I’m f**ked up and sad, because I also ended last year on the ground, but you have to look forward.
“The year has just started and I will return. I don’t want to give it any more thought, it has already happened.”
>>> Nairo Quintana persists with ‘Tour dream’ regardless of pressure and critics
Landa formed part of Movistar’s ‘trident’ approach to the Tour de France, alongside compatriot Alejandro Valverde and Colombian Nairo Quintana.
He was the Spanish WorldTour team’s best finisher in 2018, rolling across the line in Paris seventh overall and almost eight minutes down on winner Geraint Thomas (Team Sky).
Movistar are abandoning the triple-threat approach this season, instead sending Landa to the Giro with Valverde and then the Tour with Quintana.
>>> Chris Froome: ‘Egan Bernal can win the Giro d’Italia at his first attempt’
The former Team Sky domestique added: “The main objectives of the year are not changed.
“Now we will have to work a little harder to recover and return sooner, but the Giro and the Tour are not in danger.”
Landa hopes to recover quickly from surgery and be back on his bike in around two weeks time.
The opening day of Challenge Majorca was won by Cofidis rider Jesús Herrada, followed by Guillaume Martin (Wanty-Group Gobert) and Trek-Segafredo’s Bauke Mollema.
Valverde came in fourth.
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
-
'Winning has become harder in women’s cycling,' says Annemiek van VleutenDutch rider pleased to have the confidence to attack twice to take Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes victory
-
Annemiek Van Vleuten back to form taking a battling solo win at Liège-Bastogne-Liège
The Movistar rider took a tenacious win with repeated attacks, finally going clear on the final classified climb riding solo for 10km
-
Alejandro Valverde: Second place at Flèche Wallonne 'is worth as much as a victory'
Spaniard finishes on podium for eight time in final time up Mur de Huy
-
Breakaway caught agonisingly close to the line as Emma Norsgaard wins a tense Le Samyn des Dames
A two woman breakaway was caught with only 150m to go as the Danish rider takes a fourth season win for Movistar in southern Belgium
-
Van Vleuten continues stellar 2022 with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad victory
Vollering outwitted into second place as her compatriot takes a second win in the Classics season opener
-
Mikel Landa not under pressure to perform at Bahrain-Victorious but still aims for a grand tour win
The Spanish rider last featured on a grand tour podium in 2015 at the Giro
-
Gabriel Cullaigh signs for Saint Piran: 'Hopefully the results will come and I will jump back up to the WorldTour'
The Briton hopes to follow in the same footsteps as his peer James Shaw in bouncing back
-
'I had thoughts of just packing it all in': Gabriel Cullaigh's lonely experience and rejection with Movistar
The Yorkshireman explains why he was unable to deliver on the promise he showed at U23 level
