According to the interview in Diario Vasco today, it seems very likely that Aitor Galdos will do the Tour in July if everything goes to plan. If that`s the case, it means Aitor will make his debut in the Grand Boucle. It was also revealed that he`ll ride the Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix, Ghent-Wevelgem and the Dauphiné Libéré.
The Spanish stage-race that Euskaltel always ride, the Vuelta a Murcia, has sadly been cancelled this year, courtesy of some economic problems. The Basque stage-race Euskal Bizicleta, where Euskaltel usually shine, haven´t been cancelled, but the number of stages have been reduced. Instead of the usual five stages, the race will now only hold three. Though, the organisers of both races have already stated that they aim to get their races back to normal standards next year. This will mean that Euskaltel, as well as Iban, will have to reconsider a part of the calendar.
The Fundacion Ciclista Euskadi have renewed its agreement with the Diputacion Foral de Gipuzkoa. That means that the Fundacion will receive 1,8 million euros from the Gipuzkoan delegation over two years. The renewed and very important deal will end at the 31st of December 2008, and will give Euskaltel-Euskadi 900 000 euros each year. As part of this deal, Euskaltel will be committed to promote the region of Gipuzkoa in all races they take part in. Present at the disputation were Gipuzkoan riders Haimar and Joseba Zubeldia, Andoni Aranaga, Mikel Astarloza, Markel Irizar, Iban Iriondo, Lander Aperribay, Iban Velasco, Iban Mayoz, Jorge Azanza, Aitor Galdos, Aitor Hernandez and Gorka Verdugo, along with Messrs Madariaga, Galdeano, Odriozola, Gerrikagoitia and Carbayeda.
Iban and Koldo Gil
Iban and Koldo Gil 
Euskaltel`s training camp in Alfaz del Pí, Alicante, will end tomorrow. The team did their last training-ride today, before heading back to Euskadi early Sunday morning. In total, each rider will have covered more than 1100 kms while in Alicante. The exceptions are Igor Antón and Dioni Galparsoro, who had troubles with the flu and knee pain respectively. All the Euskaltel directors and staff is said to be pleased with the result of the training camp. Everything went to plan, and every rider covered valuable kms for the fast-approaching season. Every day, the team were divided into three groups; the intensity of each group being the difference.
These words came from Iban in his latest interview with Spanish sports daily El Mundo Deportivo. He discusses the future, the past, the battles with Armstrong and so on. Read: http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/20070120/NOTICIA247178359.html
An interview with Iban can be read in today`s edition of Spanish newspaper Gara. In this interview he discusses all the usual things; his calendar, his pre-season, his illusions etc. Click and read: http://gara.net/idatzia/20070119/art197809.php
The Navarran contingent at Euskaltel is now up to four; five if you include sports director Jon Odriozola. Gorka Verdugo, Alan Perez, Jorge Azanza and Jon Bru are the riders from the Basque region, and here`s how fellow Navarran Jon Odriozola evaluates them in his own words:
Iban`s trusted friend, and now Saunier Duval directeur sportif, Sabino Angoitia talked to newspaper Noticias de Gipuzkoa yesterday. The result is an interesting interview, where he discusses his exit from Café Baqué, his relationship and expectations to Iban, David Etxebarria and a lot more. Read at:http://www.noticiasdegipuzkoa.com/ediciones/2007/01/18/deportes/ciclismo/d18cic58.452606.php
This is how Iban`s announced calendar will look like. Though, he`ll race more races than this for sure, but this is the races that he`s definetely going to take part in; if not something unexpected turns up.
Euskaltel head Miguel Madariaga has given an interview to Basque daily El Correo. Miguel discusses the conflict between the UCI and the event organizers, DNA testing, the future of Basque cycling, the future of the sport, Igor Galdeano and his hopes for the future. Click and read part 1: http://www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/prensa/20070117/deportes/este-deporte-tocado-fondo_20070117.html . Part 2: http://www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/prensa/20070117/deportes/este-equipo-ningun-director_20070117.html
There are interviews with Euskaltel riders everywhere these days, and Noticias de Gipuzkoa today included an interview with Samu Sánchez. The Euskaltel team-leader talked of the departure of Iban and Roberto, the new arrivals, the changes in the squad, Igor Galdeano, Julian Gorospe, leadership duties, DNA testing and ambitions for the season. Read here: http://www.noticiasdegipuzkoa.com/ediciones/2007/01/17/deportes/ciclismo/d17cic50.451425.php
Today the Euskaltel riders enjoyed their most relaxing day so far. After a lengthy photo-session followed by a 6 hour spin yesterday, the riders today rode for about 3 hours before relaxing back at the hotel for the rest of the day. The first of the three groups, containing Mikel Astarloza, Beñat Albizuri, Koldo Fernandez de Larrea, Andoni Aranaga, Aitor Hernandez, Dioni Galparsoro and Igor Antón, covered 80 kilometers in about 2 hours, under the guidance of Xabier Carbayeda. The second group, Haimar and Joseba Zubeldia, Iñaki Isasi, Iban Iriondo, Amets Txurruka, Aitor Galdos, Unai Uribarri, Gorka Verdugo, Iñigo Landaluze and Aketza Peña, covered 115 kilometers in 3 hours, accompanied by Jon Odriozola. The last group, including Lander Aperribay, Iban Mayoz, Antton Luengo, Jon Bru, Andoni Lafuente, Ivan Velasco, Alan Perez, Markel Irizar, Samuel Sanchez, Unai Etxebarria, Rubén Perez and Jorge Azanza, covered approximately the same distance as group 2. Gorka Gerrikagoiria supervised the riders on their 3 hour spin.
The training for Thursday will be mainly the same as for Wednesday, with, though with some exceptions, the same riders covering the same distance with the same directeur sportif. Though, there is one change planned, and that is that at around 12 o`clock, all the three groups will join eachother for some light training.
When I started up this page, I had this idea that I was about the only foreign supporter of Iban. I thought there were only Spanish fans, but since the "launch" of the site, I`ve received e-mails from all-over Europe; e-mails from people who are die-hard Iban fans. I`ve received mails from the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy and Belgium, just to name a few. It`s really encouraging to see so many support Iban, as well as Euskaltel, and who likes my page. One of the main reasons I started this blog, was that I felt there weren`t many places to go if you were looking for stuff on Iban unless you spoke Spanish. I hope there`s now an alternative to translating Spanish sites of news about Iban. Too see so many people from so many different countries visit my page is truly encouraging. Keep on checking into Iban Mayo Blog for updates, news and stories about the most talented cyclist of his generation.
The training in Alfaz del Pí is going as planned for all Euskaltel riders. Yesterday, the group that will be hoping for a strong start to the season rode 180 km, which included 4 ascents. Samu, Mikel Astarloza and Jon Bru were among the riders in this group. The group of the Zubeldias, Landaluze and Galdos rode 150 km, as did the group of Verdugo, Luengo and Peña. Tuesday will see the official photos being taken, before they head out for training later in the day.
The well-known Basque masseur Gabino Ereñozaga has joined Euskaltel. Igor Galdeano decided to take him on, as Gabino was a masseur at, amongst others, ONCE and Liberty Seguros some years ago; two of Igor`s previous teams. Welcome, Gabino.
The three Euskaltel riders Samu Sanchez, Igor Antón and Haimar Zubeldia has, according to Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano, made big improvements while being in San Diego. Igor said that they`ve improved their positions, tried out new gear, new clothes and different set-ups on the bike. They`ve all got room for improvement, especially Igor Antón, who`s the youngest and the least experienced. Antón will, according to the wind-tunnel folks over in San Diego, ride a minute faster over 50 km, at least. The trip was so successful that Gonzalez de Galdeano is already thinking of a repeat of the trip, either with a few other riders, or, in fact, the whole team.
