Mikel Landa

Mikel Landa earned his first grand tour stage win during the 2014 Vuelta a España on August 25. This achievement marked the beginning of his ascent in the professional cycling world, demonstrating his emerging talent and potential as a future star in stage races. The victory was particularly significant as it came in a competitive field, showcasing his climbing ability and tactical astuteness.

On May 25, 2015, Mikel Landa secured a significant victory in Stage 16 of the 2015 Giro d'Italia. The stage was a difficult mountain climb, and Landa demonstrated his climbing prowess by breaking away from the peloton and crossing the finish line first. This victory was instrumental in raising his profile as one of the top climbers in professional cycling.

On October 23, 2015, it was announced that Mikel Landa would be transferring to Team Sky (now INEOS Grenadiers) for the 2016 season. This move was seen as a major step in his career, allowing him to join one of the most successful teams in professional cycling. His transfer was motivated by the opportunity to ride in a team with strong support for grand tour contenders.

Mikel Landa claimed a stage victory in the 2016 Giro d'Italia on May 14, showcasing his strong climbing abilities once again. This win came during Stage 9 and solidified his reputation as a contender in grand tours, although the race as a whole did not go as planned for him due to later withdrawals.

In the 2017 Tour de France, Mikel Landa finished fourth overall, narrowly missing the podium by just one second after three weeks of intense racing. His performance as a support rider for Team Sky's Chris Froome demonstrated his capability to contend for top positions in future grand tours and raised questions about his potential to lead a team.

On July 7, 2018, during the first stage of the Tour de France, Mikel Landa was involved in a crash that affected his performance in the subsequent stages. The crash raised concerns about the safety protocols in place for riders and brought attention to the risks involved in competitive cycling. Despite the setback, he continued to compete valiantly throughout the rest of the race.

Mikel Landa achieved a podium finish in the 2019 Giro d'Italia, finishing third overall after a challenging three weeks of racing. This result highlighted his consistency and skill in the grand tours, as he was able to perform at a high level throughout the mountain stages and maintain a strong position against tough competition.

During the 2020 Tour de France, Mikel Landa showed strong form and finished in the top ten overall. His performance included several top-five finishes in the mountain stages, which underscored his abilities as a climber and a general classification contender. He gained praise for his tactical acumen and ability to compete against the world's elite.

In the 2021 Giro d'Italia, Mikel Landa suffered a crash on May 19 during the fifth stage, forcing him to withdraw from the race due to injuries. This unfortunate incident was a significant blow as he was considered one of the favorites for the overall victory. His withdrawal opened discussions about team strategies and the unpredictable nature of grand tour racing.

Mikel Landa secured a notable podium finish in the 2022 Giro d'Italia, ending the race in third place overall. His consistent performance over the three weeks, particularly in the mountainous stages, reinforced his reputation as one of the leading climbers and contenders in grand tour cycling. This result was a testament to his resilience and strategic racing.

Mikel Landa announced his retirement from professional cycling on September 10, 2023. After a successful career characterized by numerous wins and podium finishes in some of the world's most prestigious cycling races, Landa decided to conclude his career on a high note. His announcement was met with tributes from his peers and fans who celebrated his contributions to the sport.