Mikel Landa confirms emotional Euskaltel-Euskadi return after 13 years away
The Basque climber will leave Soudal Quick-Step and rejoin the team where his professional career began, completing one of the most symbolic transfers of the 2027 season.
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The Basque climber has confirmed that he will return to Euskaltel-Euskadi for the 2027 season, bringing his career back to the orange jersey in which he first emerged as a professional rider.
The announcement came on 1 August, the traditional opening date for cycling’s transfer market. Landa will join the Spanish ProTeam after completing his third season with Soudal Quick-Step.
“I am incredibly happy to announce that from 2027 I will return to Euskadi,” Landa said in a video released by the team. “I am going home, to the team that made me a professional and watched me grow.”
Returning to the Euskaltel colours will mean more than simply changing teams. Landa has remained closely tied to Basque cycling throughout his career, even while riding for some of the biggest squads in the WorldTour.
“It will be very special to wear that orange jersey again and to experience the orange tide,” he added, referring to the passionate Euskaltel supporters who traditionally fill the roads of the Basque Country. “I hope we can share many more great moments together.”
Landa began his professional career with Euskaltel-Euskadi in 2011 and remained with the team until it folded at the end of 2013. He later represented Astana, Team Sky, Movistar, Bahrain Victorious and Soudal Quick-Step, winning stages in all three Grand Tours and twice finishing on the Giro d’Italia podium.
His 2026 season was derailed by a crash at Itzulia Basque Country, where he suffered a fractured pelvis. The injury forced him to miss the Giro d’Italia and ended his hopes of competing in the Tour de France.
He will return to competition on Saturday at the Clásica San Sebastián, before he turns his attention to the Vuelta a España, which is set to be his final Grand Tour with Soudal Quick-Step.
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