Movistar left in shock as Mikel Landa crash sends him down Tour de France overall rankings
The Spaniard is over four minutes down overall after a disastrous day at the Tour de France
Movistar felt "shock" seeing one of their leaders Mikel Landa fall and lose time due to another rider in the Tour de France.
Landa had made the front group in the crosswinds to Albi with team-mates Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana, and rivals including Geraint Thomas (Ineos), but was knocked over by Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic).
>>> Five talking points from stage 10 of the Tour de France 2019
In the big crosswind day, which could have allowed him to jump up in the overall by 1-40 minutes with Thomas, Landa slid 2-09 minutes behind.
Landa arrived to the Spanish WorldTour team's bus clearly upset and banged his handlebars before getting into the vehicle. He did not say a word.
"It was a shock," said team-mate Imanol Erviti. "He had been there, riding in the group, and then on the ground.
"Luckily, he didn't suffer physical consequences, but it's bad news for him and pain, the pain and the rage for a loss of time caused by another, without looking for it."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
First, it was rumoured that Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) caused the incident. The Frenchman took to social media to explain, "Really sorry for what happened to @MikelLandaMeana, but please watch again I'M NOT the rider who push him in."
Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick-Step), who remains in the yellow jersey lead, explained that Barguil had hit him and then fell the other way and countered his weight off of Landa.
"I'm sad about Mikel Landa's crash," said Barguil in Twitter. "I lost balance when touching the wheel of Julian, I touched Mikel, who went back on the left.
"It went very fast, it was not voluntary. I avoided the fall miraculously, which was not the case for Mikel. I hope he's fine."
Landa, 29, may be fine, but without luck as he tries to win a Grand Tour. On his own, slipping behind, he lost 2-09 minutes to the Thomas group with Quintana and Valverde, and now sits 21st overall at 3-03 behind Thomas.
"What a pity," Valverde said.
"I was scared when they said on the radio: 'Fall of Mikel!' He was on my wheel, very well positioned. I did not know anything about what happened."
The fall adds to others for Landa, including in the 2017 Giro d'Italia when he and Thomas, then Sky team-mates, were taken down by a parked police motorbike.
Landa just came from helping team-mate Richard Carapaz win the 2019 Giro. Now, with the losses, he could be forced to switch to working for Nairo Quintana when the race resumes after tomorrow's rest day with stage 11.
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.
-
Aleck Punks helmet speakers: a surprisingly good option for cycling safely with music
These wireless helmet speakers are a unique near-ear audio system that allows cyclists to play music or podcasts without sacrificing spatial awareness
By Samantha Nakata Published
-
Specialized Crux DSW Comp: race-ready US alloy featherweight vs British gravel
The aluminium Crux shares many of the benefits of the carbon model but at a more wallet-friendly price point
By Rachel Sokal Published
-
British super-talent Cat Ferguson set for pro debut this weekend
Eighteen-year-old to race La Choralis Fourmies in first Movistar outing
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Mikel Landa the latest to break collarbone at Itzulia Basque Country
The Spaniard follows his team leader Remco Evenepoel in having to leave the stage race
By Adam Becket Published
-
Nairo Quintana’s former doctor to face trial for doping offences
Fredy Alexander Gonzales Torres is accused of "possession of a substance or method prohibited for use by an athlete" during the 2020 Tour de France
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Opinion: There will never be another bike rider like Annemiek van Vleuten
The flying Dutchwoman could almost win it all, but now her era has almost ended, she should be remembered as the greatest
By Adam Becket Published
-
Will Barta's Canyon bike snaps in Giro d'Italia stage 10 crash
Movistar rider was caught up in incident in sodden day at Giro d'Italia
By Adam Becket Published
-
Alejandro Valverde to return to racing with new Movistar gravel squad
Spanish veteran will pin on numbers in his first ever gravel race at ‘La Indomable’ in Spain on 23 April
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Women’s WorldTour calendar 'a mess' and 'a nonsense' says Movistar boss
The UCI must invest in the bottom of the pyramid to ensure the sport’s future says Sebastián Unzué
By Owen Rogers Published
-
Movistar quick to quash Mark Cavendish signing report
Italian press speculation over future of sprinter denied by Spanish team
By Adam Becket Published