Landa denied Giro comeback due to pelvic fracture

The 36-year-old Basque rider crashed on stage 2 in the Basque Country earlier in April after an incident with an organisation vehicle on a descent. Landa managed to finish the stage, but would ultimately abandon the race before the start of stage 3.

Following further examinations, Soudal Quick-Step have confirmed that Landa suffered a small pelvic fracture. Ultimately, the fracture has begun the process of healing, but due to the recovery needed, the decision has been made for Landa to withdraw from the Giro start list.

“I am obviously disappointed, as I had worked hard to come back from a difficult winter and was starting to feel good again in Itzulia”, said Landa in an official statement. “I had been experiencing some discomfort, but the type of fracture made it difficult to fully identify at first. Now that we have clarity, I can focus fully on my recovery.”

Landa, a two-time podium finisher and three-time stage winner, was hoping to return to the Giro after a major setback last year, when he crashed roughly 5km from the finish of the opening stage in Albania, resulting in a fractured T11 vertebra.

“It’s a shame to miss the Giro d’Italia, especially as I was motivated to return after last year. But the priority now is to get healthy again and rebuild my condition, and then we will look ahead to new goals later in the season," added Landa.

Landa joins João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in officially being ruled out of the Giro on Monday, with the Portuguese rider confirming that he is unable to start due to illness. Meanwhile, reports indicate that former winner Richard Carapaz’s (EF Education-EasyPost) participation is in serious doubt for La Corsa Rosa, which begins in Bulgaria on May 8.