Spanish rider Landa returns home for 'long recovery' after Giro crash / Photo: © AFP
-
School roof collapse kills teacher, 27 children in NW Pakistan
-
Pope has 'good night' in hospital: Vatican
-
Haze turns Indonesia skies orange, shuts schools in East Timor
-
China's economy seen missing target as global shocks bite: AFP poll
-
California puts first US billionaire tax to the vote
-
Costa Rica opens jail inspired by El Salvador mega-prison
-
School headscarf ban meets resistance in Austria
-
Same-sex couple takes fight for equality to Slovakian court
-
World's top cocoa producer aims for a climate-tough bean
-
'High hopes' as Indonesian women get a football league, again
-
Why is Shell facing lawsuits over climate disasters in Brazil and the Philippines?
-
'Expectations high' for Bordeaux-Begles' Champions Cup hat-trick bid, says Depoortere
-
New four-lane bridge opens between China, North Korea
-
Rennie urges All Blacks to stay focused against 'hurting' Wallabies
-
Tech stocks lead rout after US inflation fuels rate hike bets
-
Palmeiras beat Fluminense 2-1 in Libertadores semi-final first leg
-
'No time to recover': UNDP chief sounds alarm on growing poverty after Iran war shock
-
Brewers blasts leave Dodgers on brink
-
Australia says won't let big tech have 'unfettered' access to kids
-
Tech stock lead rout after US inflation fuels rate hike bets
-
Mobile clinics battle Mongolia's childhood dental 'disaster'
-
Al-Fayed survivors say UK police missing 'bigger picture'
-
Wallabies back Meredith as playmaker for second New Zealand Test
-
Online 'witch hunt' sweeps up Asians misidentified as US rape accused
-
Messi's Inter Miami book playoffs with 2-0 win over New York City
-
Prospect of Bolsonaro win looms large over Brazil's Indigenous
-
Oil-rich Alberta tests Canada's unity with secession vote
-
Freed from Belarus, founder of Lady Gaga's biggest fan site tells his story
-
EU leaders head for showdown over bloc budget
-
Behind AI's carbon footprint, a potential climate tool
-
All Blacks make three changes for second Wallabies Test
-
Trump's new press secretary faces scrutiny over credentials
-
Mourinho blasts 'shameless' timing of Vinicius ban decision
-
PSG 'got lucky' to win Man City thriller, says Luis Enrique
-
PSG beat Man City in Champions League thriller, Barcola hits Liverpool hat-trick
-
Real Madrid comeback stuns Roma as Mourinho enjoys happy reunion
-
US Treasury chief urges stronger IMF role against 'distortionary policies'
-
Shakhtar make winning start at new Champions League 'home'
-
Giant-killers Bodo sink Dortmund in Champions League
-
Hat-trick hero Barcola primed to shine for Liverpool: Iraola
-
PSG outgun embattled Man City in six-goal Champions League thriller
-
Villa put six past Fenerbahce in record rout
-
In Chicago, pope's hometown, Catholics express shock and support
-
US stocks fall after hot inflation report as leading AI shares tumble
-
Musk suggests US govt behind any slowdown in Ukraine's Starshield system
-
Government buildings torched in violent Albanian protests
-
Chiclayo prays for recovery and return of the 'Peruvian pope'
-
Wall Street grills Bank of America over money laundering fine
-
Barcola scores hat-trick as Liverpool hit LASK for six
-
Mekies extends contract as Red Bull team principal until 2031
Spanish rider Landa returns home for 'long recovery' after Giro crash
Spanish cyclist Mikel Landa has been transferred home for an expected "long recovery" after fracturing a vertebra in a high speed fall on the opening stage of the Giro d'Italia, his team confirmed on Monday.
The 35-year-old Basque climber hit a curb before falling to a pavement a metre below in Tirana last Friday, on the first of three days racing in Albania.
Despite the confirmation of a fracture there were no further complications and Landa was able to travel home, his Belgian Soudal Quick Step team said, adding that their rider was "in good spirits and optimistic for the future".
Landa himself thanked the spectators who helped him on the roadside, the hospital staff, his team and everyone "who has taken care of me and helped me to return to my home".
"It will be a long recovery but the support that has been shown to me will strengthen me on my journey," Landa said in the team statement.
Landa had been amongst the favourites for the overall title at the Giro d'Italia after he finished third in two previous editions.
After three days in Albania, the Giro will continue across the Adriatic to Italy, with Monday a rest day for the fourth stage a flat run to Lecce in the heel of Italy.
R.Buehler--VB
