Quo vadis, Iban?

As Iban has made it clear that his future lies elsewhere, probably with Saunier Duval, one have to ask the simple question: What now Iban? Will we see the Iban of 2003 and 2004, or will Iban be the same rider with Saunier as he was with Euskaltel?

When Iban was at the top of his form back in the lovely summer of 2003, he signed an important contract. He tied himself to Euskaltel, the team of his dreams, until 2006. That`s a long time. Especially in cycling, where fortunes could suddenly turn against you. And that`s just what happened to Iban. Suddenly, cycling wasn`t just a bed of roses when form eluded Iban time and time again, and the results many expected to come, didn`t. Problems with the sport directors of Euskaltel started, and his relationship with Julian Gorospe in particular got worse every time Iban didn`t deliver the goods. It didn`t help that his morale hit rock bottom either, and people started wondering where the Mayo of 2003 had gone. So, without form, without illusions, without morale and without the best of relationships with his directors, what to do? A change of teams, many would say. Well, he had a contract until December 2006. So the only real option was to stay, and try to make the best out of it. But, with ongoing disputes between the ever-charismatic Iban and his bord of directors, the surroundings weren`t the best to say the least. The relationship recorded an all time low when Iban pulled out of the Tour without speaking to any of his team members or directors. Euskaltel have a bad habit of making every dispute within the team public, and no exception this time. Especially señor Gorospe was angry, and it was obvious that Iban`s chemistry with the leading figures of Euskaltel wasn`t the very best.

So, to start from scratch again in new surroundings and no enemies, sounded nice. And when Saunier Duval expressed interest, Iban probably did the wisest thing after all. Though still sad that Mayo will leave Euskaltel, I think the move to Saunier will perhaps help Mayo to exploit the potential we all know he`s got. Without the pressure of a whole "nation" (the Basque country) on his shoulders, and without the troublesome relationship with the directors, Mayo may feel a bit liberated and able to focus solely on the bike. A change of environment may be to the good. Let`s hope this makes Iban rediscover his form of old. No matter where you go, I`ll support you. Aupa Iban!