Mikel Landa: “I have to leave my comfort zone”

Mikel Landa (Murguía, 1989) is one of the great candidates for Volta to Catalonia. The fast -step Soudal Cyclist, second last year after an irreversible Tadej PogacarFaced with Catalan’s twist with the intention of fighting and showing its state before the good purpose of the year, the Giro of Italy. At 35, he knew that the end of his career was approaching, but continued to enjoy a bicycle with the best, and vibrating a hobby that said ‘landism’ across the planet.

Last year you were second to Volta and this year not pogacar. Do you look like a favorite?

I come well, I don’t know how to tell you if it’s better or worse than last year, but wanted to make a good career, which grew day -to -day, because it was my last race before turn, one of the purposes of the year.

A Volta where Juan Ayuso, Primoz Roglic or Richard Carapaaz, where you can see the faces in turn as well.

We all chose this career and tell me that I am well aimed at it. This is a great test to see how they are. It’s hard to match the rivals of your great goal before, so it can be a great career to be well for turn.

A turn that you face as your great purpose of the year.

I have the opportunity to do something good in turn. I want to make a good overall and fight for some stages. Let’s see if everything is fine.

Fifteen years on the platoon and you are still the best in the world. What’s the secret?

There is no secret. The good guilt comes from genetics and the rest will take care of you a little, learn how to rest when touched, disconnect and then squeeze yourself when you should.

And in these people, cycling has changed a lot, not only for modern technologies, but also for the way of running. However, you managed to adapt and move on to the elite.

The movement dragged me away. From a young age we have been working on enhancement and I have not noticed the change. For me, this discipline is normal. In recent years, nutrition and different ways of running are worth me a bit of thinking. But eventually or adapt, or you don’t. My body responds and makes everything easier.

Do you think we live with the best cycling time?

I haven’t lived yet, I have the standard I have. But this is a good time in all aspects, from the show to the fans. Economy, the discipline is also very good and I think it’s a great time.

Do you find yourself competing at the highest level for many years or and the future will appear outside the bike?

The end and it’s time to start thinking about tomorrow. It will come soon, but I still don’t know when. I’m not sure that my future is still linked to cycling, I was very upset. I enjoy one of the most beautiful parts, which is in the corridor, definitely the best, and I don’t know if I find myself somewhere else.

If you look back and get back to your starts, have you ever thought of having a career like you have? Is there anything you will change?

In fact I didn’t expect the career I had. Not any hope. I have lived a lot during the day, without being crazy. Maybe I had to get a lot of stages, like the first years I won, but I chose to make generals and in that case it was very difficult to fight the successes. I’m not a quick runner and every time I have to fight for a stage I have to do it best. I have nothing to change.

You have experienced great platoon teams and now this is your second year in Soudal fast steps, one of the most professional structures. What does it want to work on here?

I’m very happy. I needed a change, I had life with teams dedicated to generals and needed to get out of my comfort zone. I found a very nice group, different. I was very comfortable, enjoying the experience, and it all came to a great personal and professional moment.

Last year there was a very good tone with Remco evenpoel.

I found a beautiful kid, with concerns, with fear, with many characters and a lot of ambitions as well. I like your style and it’s easier to work with someone when you have a good connection.

What advice do you give young people? What did you learn from them?

I learned from new technologies, with different training methods. I came from another school, rolled for hours, quieter. They take life differently, they can be three days without touching the bike, when for my generation it is unimaginable. They ask me for advice when managing a good return and also concentrations to learn how to do dose before career.

To the big ones, you always fought for success, but you stayed around, what do you think is missing?

My Achilles heel is the CounterRelojes. I found the superb, superb runner who played that margin and managed that advantage properly.

Beyond your sporting achievements, you get fans love. Do you think it’s because of your way of running, or is there something else?

I like to think that I am like them, I am one more. Even though I run a career, I’m another one. I tried to keep someone close to fans, I was trying to live closest to my friends and lead a relatively normal life, always at home, with my environment, as normal as possible.

Do you feel that you left their mark?

I still think I don’t know. You see normal for people to ask for autographs, but on the day they see it from the outside, it’s unique. Yes I noticed people’s love.

If you could define ‘landism’ in a phrase, what would it be?

I don’t know what to say to you … This is something I haven’t created yet. It came from the public and I think there is a little ‘landism’. It will not bear fruit, a small rebellion, a little against the system.