Llodio fiasco

Euskaltel had an off-day in yesterday's one-day race Gran Premio Llodio. Disappointing and at the same time surprising given the strength of the team. Best placed rider turned out to be Beñat who was a lowly 26th, coming in with a group 50 seconds down on winner Vicioso. Koldo did quite well to come home 37th in his first race back, 1:49 down, while Jorge, Romain and the Gorkas all came in among the last eight riders, all more than 9 minutes adrift. Not good. It wasn't all doom and gloom though. Gorka deserves praise for his breakaway effort during most of the race, while Koldo looked quite good as well.

As for Orbea, Mikel Landa, who wasn't originally slated for the race in the first place, proved to be their best man once again, coming in 29th, 56 seconds back. In 28th was former Euskaltel-rider Aketza Peña who's this year racing for Caja Rural. Jon Izagirre was an okay 34th, 1:06 down, while Beñat Urain came across the line in 44th place, 2:11 down. The rest of the guys all abandoned.