Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Time trial disappointment

Today's individual time trial did not go to plan for the team. Samu did well to claim 21st place, but Mikel and Haimar did not live up to expectations. Mikel ended up 27th, at 1:42, while Haimar finished a lowly 100th, at more than 3 minutes. Not the best of days to say the least. Samu, though, was reasonably upbeat: "I'm pleased so far", he said. "I'm pleased 'cause I've improved my form markedly compared to my ITT in the Dauphiné. That kind of data is important to me. I cannot complain on the result, as this was a TT for the specialists. I'm improving little by little." Mikel was not so positive: "I thought I was going to do better. In the Dauphiné ITT, which was not really adapted to my characteristics, I did well and ended up 4th. Today's parcours was more suited to me, but it didn't go to well and I cannot be content. I had hoped to gain time on the climbers, but I haven't. There's many days left though, so we'll continue to fight." Haimar had this to say: "I didn't feel well right since the start. I know that I'll improve as the race unfolds. I've prepared especially for the mountains this year, as that's where I think the final outcome will be decided. I'm convinced the last ITT will work out better for me, as then it's all about the state of form." Stage results:

  • 21st, Samuel Sánchez, 1:31
  • 27th, Mikel Astarloza, 1:42
  • 72nd, Gorka Verdugo, 2:57
  • 100th, Haimar Zubeldia, 3:22
  • 113th, Egoi Martínez, 3:35
  • 114th, Juan José Oroz, 3:36
  • 124th, Iñaki Isasi, 3:45
  • 135th, Amets Txurruka, 3:54
  • 145th, Rubén Pérez, 4:08

3 comments:

Remo said...

Well, things have not gone like we all hoped but Samu performance was good and i'm sure he'll gave him a lot of confidence for the rest of the Tour. I was half expecting Zubeldia's difficulties...he lost weight and he's now slimmer than ever and usually you lost power with weight. i was disappointed with Mikel's performance. I must admit i'd expetced a top 10 finish but there's one thing for sure; this Tour will be decided on the mountains, and in the Alps in particular. Zubeldia will do better than ever in the climbings, Mikel always does wellin the Alps and Samu seems to go stronger any day and i take courage from the last week of last season Vuelta's where he was almost unstoppable.
So, "sursum corda" and ...
AUPA EUSKADI EUSKALTEL !!!
Remo (Parma) Italy

Anonymous said...

Yeah this day was a disappointment for me. But take it easy, Basque riders will have to shine in the mountains and not in time trials :)

Anonymous said...

Maybe the worst TT stage in the Tour for Haimar in all his Life.

Now he has to attack. There are not
another ways to go.

Aupa Haimar, Aupa Euskaltel!!

 

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