Bahrain Victorious driver Mikel Landa, who turned 32 on Monday, December 13, said only two words when he was asked what birthday wishes he would make for the 2022 season.
In fact, we understand why Landa's expectations for next season are only "healthy", he suffered a major crash at the S5 this year, which had a great impact on him, resulting in his performance after this season has not been ideal.
He returned to the field in the summer and won the championship in the last preparatory event before the Tour de circus, the Tour de Burgos. But he was spotted at the beginning of the Ring West that he seemed to be out of shape, and the only realization he received attention was an attack on the West S17.
In the S17 stage of the Tour de la Circus, Miklanda, who had lost his championship hopes, attacked early in this stage, and after being chased back by the main group, he felt bad about himself and simply withdrew. To sum up his performance this season: he is very hardworking, his personal ability is still outstanding, but in the 2021 Grand Tour he has some bad luck, the time, the location, the people and he will always lack the same.
Speaking to reporters at a video press conference at bahrain's victory camp in Spain on Sunday, Landa told reporters: "I always lacked a little bit of luck, due to the drag of my physical condition, I have not been able to play at my true level. ”
"Because of the S5 crash injury, this season has been extremely difficult for me, so my only goal is to maintain a certain level throughout the season and not to back down."
Landa's only time on the Podium was third at the Grand Tour in 2015. Even now that he is 32 years old, he is still as ambitious as ever, and he wants to win a Grand Tour in 2022.
As for his goal of the Grand Tour? Landa said that the Ring law was his preferred goal, and the Ring Law was his second goal. "Because fewer time trials are more beneficial to me. I'm not sure if I'm going to be in the Tour de France or The Ring of Laws, but of course, the ideal state is for me to attend both.
Landa's dramatic retirement from the Tour de La Croix this year and then the lack of a brilliant performance in the Circus West has almost forgotten that he actually performed remarkably at the start of the 2021 season. In fact, he finished sixth in the first race of the season, Trofeo Laigueglia, third in another Italian one-day game, GP Industria & Artigianato, and third at Tirreno-Adriatico.
As a result, his schedule during the offseason may be basically the same as in 2021, with a second training camp in January and then a new year's journey in February, with everything in order.
He said: "For next year's event, I actually just changed the setting of the TT car a little bit, and the rest remains the same. We're currently in training camp and then there's another camp in January and everything is going well and hopefully at the start of the new year I can be in good shape. ”
"I want to get stronger, but I can't be fat in one breath, I will gradually improve year by year." The 2021 season was a great season for Bahrain – Victory, and while I wasn't doing well, I didn't feel pressured. I think the more drivers who win a single race or perform well in the overall result, the better it is for the team. "
Except for 3 seasons for 2011-2013, Whenlander played for Euskaltel, he spent only 2 or two seasons at Astana, Sky (now Ineos) and Mobile Star. After re-signing with Bahrain Victory until 2023, Bahrain will be the first team he has been playing for for more than two years.
The team's trust in him is likely to boost Landa's morale in 2022. But as he himself expects, maintaining a healthy body in 2022 is paramount.
Edit: Johnny
Image source: Bahrain official website