Mikel Landa eyes Euskaltel comeback as Tour de France mascot theft hits Barcelona

Spanish cyclist Mikel Landa, currently under contract with Soudal Quick-Step through December 2026, is being linked with a return to the Basque squad Euskaltel‑Euskadi for the 2027 season. The move would allow him to finish his career with the team that gave him his professional start and could boost the team’s visibility as it seeks a top‑30 WorldTour ranking to qualify for the Vuelta a España.

On the night of 3‑4 July, German Tour de France mascot Dieter Senft, known as “the Devil”, had his van broken into in Barcelona ahead of the Grand Départ. Thieves stole personal items, a speaker and a portable fridge but left his costume untouched. Senft filed a police report, called the city “dangerous”, and later resumed his duties, appearing on the road in the Pyrenees during the race.