The neo-pros of 2006

Four new neo-pros joined Euskaltel-Euskadi prior to the 2006 season. Each one of them have impressed, and here`s a look at how they coped with the Pro Tour:

Beñat Albizuri Aransolo rode for Euskaltel as a stagiaire in 2005, coming from Orbea, and then impressed sufficently to be given a contract. In 2005 he placed a brilliant second on the third stage of the Vuelta a la Rioja. Though not able to record any top, top placings this year, Beñat has showed a lot of promise, especially in the Giro d`Italia, where he figured in many breaks. Beñat completed the Giro, but his 144th place overall does not reflect his super performance. He also participated in Pro Tour races like the ENECO Tour, Milano-San Remo and Tirreno-Adriatico.

Iban Iriondo Uranga came from the small team Olarra, and his first year was planned to be a transition year, where he was not supposed to peak for any special races. He was supposed to race when Euskaltel needed him to; and so he did. He didn`t record any results of note, but rode amongst others the Dauphiné Libéré and the Deutschland Tour. Next year, we will see more from this talented youngster.

Unai Uribarri Artabe joined from Orbea, and, like Iriondo, was used for the team`s greater good. Top results eluded him, but like Iriondo, Euskaltel expect more from him next year. Though failing to set alight the peloton, he still had an unforgettable year, riding races like Paris-Roubaix, ENECO, Ronde van Vlaanderen and the Eindhoven TTT.

Ruben Perez Moreno was definetely the most impressive of the four, showing his potential on several occasions. Also he from Orbea, Ruben recorded many impressive results. 4th on the fourth stage in the Vuelta a Murcia, 6th on stage 12 in the Vuelta a España and some top-ten placings in sprints were his most stand-out performances in 2006. I expect great things from Ruben next year....