Management Rages after Medical Car Takes Out Rider in Risky Racing Overtake

Both Mikel Landa and the driver of a medical vehicle are suffering the repercussions of a high-speed collision Tuesday at Itzulia Basque Country.

Soudal Quick-Step’s veteran climber is banged up and has left the race after a medical car bumped him off the road Tuesday in a risky racing overtake.

The driver of the vehicle has been whacked with a yellow card, a 500 Swiss franc fine, and been booted from the race.

Landa, who is hoping to take on Jonas Vingegaard at the Giro d’Italia next month, was able to finish Tuesday’s second stage in the Basque Country.

However, he was heavily grazed and dazed after the latest incident to put rider safety in the spotlight.

The 36-year-old had been part of the bunch trying to chase down a rampant Paul Seixas when the Quick-Step rider was reportedly clipped by the medical vehicle.

According to local outlet Marca, the car’s tire got caught up in the verge, causing the driver to lose control and veer into the rider.

Team boss rages at Itzulia driver: ‘Why would a doctor’s car need to overtake?’

Soudal Quick-Step CEO Jurgen Foré was raging Tuesday night at what he believes was a totally unnecessary incident.

“The doctor’s car simply knocked Mikel Landa off the road out on a narrow and fast descent,” Foré told Het Nieuwsblad. “He was just 10 seconds behind the group in front. Why would a doctor’s car need to overtake riders in that situation? It’s infuriating.

“We do everything for safety, and then something like this happens.”

Landa was transported to hospital for checks on Tuesday night.

Quick-Step updated on Wednesday that he avoided fractures or concussions, but will sit out the rest of the Itzulia to properly recover.

Riders and staff often cite vehicles in the convoy as having a detrimental impact on racing.

A melee of team, medical, media, and commissaire cars and motos buzz around the bunch and can impact drafting, pass “sticky bottles,” or, in the worst case, take down riders.

There’s no overlooking the unfortunate irony that this time, it’s a medical vehicle that did the damage.