João Almeida and Mikel Landa Withdraw from 2026 Giro d’Italia Due to Injuries

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief of Archysport

The 2026 Giro d’Italia has lost two of its biggest contenders before the Grand Depart. Portuguese climber João Almeida and Spanish veteran Mikel Landa have both withdrawn from the race due to lingering injuries, dealing a significant blow to their respective teams and reshaping the general classification picture for cycling’s first Grand Tour of the season.

Verified Withdrawals and Reasons

UAE Team Emirates confirmed on Monday that Almeida, the 2023 Giro runner-up, will not start the race in Palermo on May 9. The team cited “insufficient recovery from a viral infection contracted in February” as the reason for his withdrawal. Almeida, 25, had been targeting a podium finish after finishing second overall in 2023 and fifth in 2024.

Bahrain Victorious announced Landa’s withdrawal shortly after, revealing that the 37-year-old Basque rider is still suffering from injuries sustained in a crash during the Itzulia Basque Country race last month. Landa, a two-time Giro podium finisher (2015, 2022), had been considered a dark horse for the overall victory given his strong early-season form.

João Almeida (left) and Mikel Landa during a recent training session. Both riders have withdrawn from the 2026 Giro d’Italia due to injuries.

Impact on the General Classification

With Almeida and Landa out, the Giro’s general classification suddenly looks wide open. The two riders had combined for five top-five finishes in previous editions of the race, including Almeida’s 2023 second-place finish behind Primož Roglič.

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), who will now be the team’s sole leader, moves to the top of most bookmakers’ odds. The Slovenian has never won the Giro but has finished on the podium in all three of his Grand Tour appearances. His main competition is expected to come from:

• Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) – 2018 Tour de France winner and 2023 Giro runner-up
• Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) – 2023 Giro stage winner and consistent climber
• Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma-Lease a Bike) – Young Belgian climber in excellent form
• Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious) – Team leader following Landa’s withdrawal

Team Adjustments

UAE Team Emirates has named Brandon McNulty as their second GC contender alongside Pogačar. The American finished 10th in the 2024 Giro and has shown strong climbing form this season. “We’re confident in Brandon’s ability to step up,” said team principal Mauro Gianetti. “He’ll have full support from the team in the mountains.”

Bahrain Victorious will now rally around Caruso, who finished second in the 2021 Giro. The Italian has been in solid form this season, finishing third overall in the Tour of the Alps. “Damiano is ready for this opportunity,” said team manager Milan Eržen. “We’ll support him 100% in the mountains.”

What This Means for the Race

The withdrawals create several key storylines for the 2026 Giro:

1. Pogačar’s Grand Tour Dominance: With Almeida out, Pogačar will have no internal competition at UAE Team Emirates. This could allow him to focus entirely on the general classification without having to manage team dynamics.
2. Ineos Grenadiers’ Redemption: After a disappointing 2025 season, Thomas and the British team will be eager to prove they can still compete at the highest level. The 36-year-old Welshman has been training specifically for the Giro.
3. Young Rider Battle: With several top contenders out, this could be an opportunity for younger riders like Uijtdebroeks (22) and Juan Ayuso (21) to make their mark on a Grand Tour.
4. Italian Hopes: Caruso’s elevation to team leader gives Italian fans a legitimate contender for the maglia rosa. The 35-year-old has been a consistent performer in recent years.

Injury Details and Recovery Timelines

Almeida’s viral infection in February forced him to miss several early-season races, including Tirreno-Adriatico. While he returned to competition in March, his performance at the Tour of the Basque Country suggested he wasn’t at full strength. “João needs more time to recover fully,” said UAE Team Emirates doctor Adriano Rodoni. “We don’t want to risk his long-term health for one race.”

Landa’s crash during Stage 4 of the Itzulia Basque Country on April 8 resulted in a fractured rib and bruised lung. While he was able to finish the race, subsequent scans revealed more damage than initially thought. “Mikel has shown incredible determination, but the medical team advised against racing in the Giro,” said Bahrain Victorious doctor Emilio Magni.

What’s Next for the Riders

Almeida is expected to return to competition at the Critérium du Dauphiné in June, with an eye on the Tour de France later in the summer. “My focus now is on getting back to 100% and preparing for the Tour,” Almeida said in a team statement.

Landa’s recovery timeline is less certain. The Spaniard is targeting a return for the Vuelta a España in August, but his team has not ruled out the possibility of him riding the Tour de France if his recovery progresses well. “I’m disappointed to miss the Giro, but my priority is to come back stronger,” Landa said.

Key Takeaways

• João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) and Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious) have withdrawn from the 2026 Giro d’Italia due to injuries
• Almeida is recovering from a February viral infection, while Landa is still suffering from a crash at the Itzulia Basque Country
• Tadej Pogačar is now the clear favorite for the overall victory
• Geraint Thomas and Damiano Caruso emerge as the main beneficiaries of the withdrawals
• The race starts May 9 in Palermo with an 8.2km individual time trial
• Almeida is targeting the Tour de France, while Landa’s next race is uncertain

How to Follow the 2026 Giro d’Italia

The race begins on May 9 with an individual time trial in Palermo. Here’s how to stay updated:

• Official Website: giroditalia.it
• Live Tracking: The official Giro app provides live timing and race updates
• Broadcast: Eurosport and GCN will provide live coverage in Europe, with NBC Sports showing highlights in the United States
• Social Media: Follow @giroditalia on Twitter/X and Instagram for official updates

The first week of racing features three summit finishes, including the iconic Mount Etna on Stage 4. With the general classification wide open, expect aggressive racing from the start.

What do you think about the withdrawals? Will Tadej Pogačar dominate the race, or do you see another rider stepping up? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to follow Archysport for all the latest Giro d’Italia coverage.