Mean machine

Here`s a picture of Iban`s new bike; the beautiful Scott Addict. Saunier Duval will ride on this new model when the 2007 season starts, and I have to admit it will be strange to see Iban ride on a Scott bike. Iban has "always" ridden an Orbea Orca or an Orbea Opal, as Orbea has been Euskaltel`s bike supplier. But, I guess the Addict is just as good. Anyway, it`s the qualities of the rider, not the bike, that counts. Here`s the components on the Addict for all you bike lovers:

• Weight: 5.9 kg
• Frame: Scott Addict HMX IMP Carbon technology
• Integrated seattube
• Fork: Scott ADDICT 1 1/8" Carbon steerer. Integrated carbon dropout.
• Headset: Ritchey WCS carbon integrated
• Derailleur (rear): Campagnolo Record Carbon 20 speed
• Derailleur (front): Campagnolo Record Carbon
• Shifters: Campagnolo Record Carbon Quick Shift 20 speed
• Brakes: Campagnolo Record Skelton D-Brake black
• Crankset: Campagnolo Record Carbon Ultra ToqueIntegrated Crank 34/50T
• BB-set: Camp Record Carbon Ultra Torque
• Handlebar: Ritchey Road Wcs EVO 31.8 CarbonOversize anatomic
• H`stem: Ritchey Wcs AXIS Oversize1-1/8" / four bolt
• Pedals: Time RSX Titan Carbon
• Seatpost: Ritchey Wcs Carbon 31.6mm
• Seat: Selle Italia SLR- Kit Carbon
• Hub (front): Campagnolo Hyperion Ultra
• Hub (rear): Campagnolo Hyperion Ultra
• Chain: Campa Record C10 Ultra Narrow
• Cassette: Campagnolo Record UD 10S 12-25 Titan
• Spokes: Campagnolo Hyperion Ultra
• Rims: Campagnolo Hyperion Ultra Carbon Clincher
• Tyres: Conti Grand Prix 4000 700x23 C

Info from: http://www.scottusa.com/category.php?UID=621

That`s why Euskaltel`s my team

• They represent a whole nation
• They`re Basque
• They`ve got a philosophy
• They climb better than anyone
• They had Iban Mayo
• They have values in their team
• They`ve got the best fans ever
• They`re exciting and entertaining with their aggressive way of riding
• They`ve got a brilliant youth policy
• They`ve got smashing riders
• They`re unique and different to any other team
• They respect the Code of Ethics, unlike some other teams
• They`ve got a satisfying drug policy

Where did they all go?

As Euskaltel`s 2007 roster is finalized, I thought it would be appropriate to take a look at those riders who unfortuantely couldn`t stay. In all, 8 riders have left Euskaltel for various reasons.

Iban Mayo`s situation and reasons for leaving don`t need any introduction. It`s all really sad, and he`ll be riding for Saunier Duval-Prodir for the next two seasons.

Iker Camaño will also be riding for Saunier Duval-Prodir next season. Euskaltel offered him a new contract, but he opted for a change of teams. Iker and Euskaltel still enjoy a very good relationship, as his choice was understandable and wasn`t as controversial as Mayo`s departure.

David Herrero Llorente really is a big loss for Euskaltel. After a brilliant first-half of the season, Euskaltel offered him a new contract. He was regarded as a future star of Spanish cycling, and he was due to make his Grand Tour debut in the Vuelta, where he was regarded as a possible top 10 finisher. But David and Euskaltel sadly couldn`t reach an agreement, alledgedly because of financial issues. David then surprisingly agreed to join new Spanish Continental team Karpin-Galicia, instead of numerous Pro Tour teams. The departure of David Herrero was really surprising, as he recorded impressive results, notably in the Euskal Bizicleta and the Tour de Suisse, and he was regarded as a possible future captain of the team. Really sad that money should be the issue, but as always, money talks....

David López Garcia was also a rider Euskaltel wanted to keep, but he opted to join fellow Pro Tour team Caisse d`Epargne-Illes Balears. After quite a good season, where he rode the Giro and the Tour and got to show his climbing legs on some occasions, Euskaltel were ready to keep him, though David had other ideas, unfortunately....

Joseba Albizu, Iker Flores, Gorka Gonzalez and Josu Silloniz were not offered new contracts, and none of them have been able to find a team so far. Though, they are all brilliant riders, so I guess it`s just a question of time.

Euskaltel-Euskadi 2007

Following the arrival of Ivan Velasco, Euskaltel have finally finalized their roster for 2007. Here`s the complete list, all 30 of them:

- Beñat Albizuri Aransoro
- Igor Antón Hernandez
- Lander Apperibay Aranda
- Andoni Aranaga Azkune
- Mikel Astarloza Chaurrau
- Jorge Azanza Soto
- Jon Bru Pascal
- Unai Etxebarria Arana
- Koldo Fernández de Larrea
- Aitor Galdos Alonso
- Dionisio Galparsoro Martinez
- Aitor Hernandez Gutierrez
- Iban Iriondo Uranga
- Markel Irizar Aranburu
- Iñaki Isasi Flores
- Roberto Laiseka Jaio
- Andoni Lafuente Olaguibel
- Iñigo Landaluze Intxaurraga
- Antton Luengo Celaya
- Iban Mayoz Etxeberria
- Aketza Peña Iza
- Alan Pérez Lezaun
- Rubén Pérez Moreno
- Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez
- Amets Txurruka Ansola
- Unai Uribarri Artabe
- Ivan Velasco Murillo
- Gorka Verdugo Markotegui
- Haimar Zubeldia Aguirre
- Joseba Zubeldia Aguirre

Ivan Velasco joins Euskaltel

26-year-old Ivan Velasco Murilla of Pro Conti team Orbea, has agreed to ride for Euskaltel for the next season. Velasco signed a one-year contract earlier today, and is the fourth rider in all to join Euskaltel from Orbea. Earlier, Ruben Perez, Beñat Albizuri and Alan Perez have taken the step from Continental level to the Pro Tour through Euskaltel. Ivan Velasco hasn`t managed to win a race to date, but last year had some impressive results. 11th. in the Tour de Limousin, 14th. in the Vuelta Ciclista a la Rioja and 13th. in the Circuito de Getxo stand out as his most notable performances. Prior to joining Orbea in 2006, the rider from Arrasate rode for Ulma-Cegasa (1999-2000), Ruta-Europa (2001-2003), Serbitzu (2004) and for the same team as Lander Apperibay; Bidelan-Kirolgi( 2005). I wish him the best of luck for 2007.

"Euskaltel should have done more to keep Mayo"

Those are the words of former Euskaltel-Euskadi directeur sportif Julian Gorospe, according to today`s El Mundo Deportivo. In a small interview, Julian says that Euskaltel could have done more to keep hold of Iban, who he refers to as "a fantastic rider". Euskaltel-Euskadi have come along way he says, winning important races, but says that Iban was a vital part of it. Further he says that Iban, on his day, could beat everyone, but that he`s also a very "nervous rider", and that the pressure sometimes becomes too big for Iban to handle.

On a personal note, Julian denied that he would join Caisse d`Epargne-Illes Balears, at least not for the coming season. He`s temporarily unemployed after not getting a new contract offer from Euskaltel after his current contract ended this season.

Iban to ride Giro-Tour 2007

Just so you know it`s official, Saunier Duval director Joxean "Matxin" Fernandez said in an interview last week that Iban will definetely ride the Giro and the Tour next year. He said that Iban will ride the Giro in the support of Italian big-hitter Gilberto Simoni, and to gain form for his biggest objective; the Tour de France. Iban has never ridden the Giro earlier, but has wanted to for a couple of years now. Guess Simoni will get the help he needs to conquer the Giro crown for a third time, at least in the mountains, where Iban along with super-climber Leonardo Piepoli will do their best to give him an easy ride.

New medical staff at Euskaltel

Euskaltel-Euskadi have chosen to renew their medical team ahead of the upcoming season, reports www.fundacioneuskadi.com. Eduardo Salvador González will continue working for Euskaltel, and to new faces, Guillermo Cuesta and Sergio Quíles, will complete it. These three will also work as doctors for Euskaltel`s farmer team, Orbea, next season. Why Euskaltel renewed the medical staff, is not known.

The Kaiku connection

When the 2007 season starts, 4 former Kaiku`s will ride in the orange of Euskaltel. It`s quite amazing that four riders from one team will ride again for the same team in modern-day cycling. Three Kaiku`s of the 2006 season, namily Jorge Azanza, Yon Bru and Dioni Galparsoro, will join up with former Kaiku Andoni Aranaga Azkune, who`s already spent one season with Euskaltel. Andoni Aranaga has had an ok season, considering it`s his first season in the Pro Tour. But he will hopefully take another step forward next season. All four riders are gifted and solid riders, so no doubt they are welcomed with open arms at Euskaltel. The Euskaltel heads have high hopes for each one of them, and hopefully they will enjoy the coming season. Though, I would have liked to see another Kaiku rider riding for Euskaltel. That would be Pablo Urtazun Perez....

Jorge Azanza

Jorge Azanza Soto is a promising and very talented rider who joins Euskaltel from the now defunct Kaiku Professional Continental team. Born in 1982, Jorge has still to record a victory in the professional ranks, but has really impressed the last two seasons. Jorge Azanza is a very good all-rounder, and is reminicent to fellow team-mate Unai Etxebarria in racing style. Both are always on the attack, and Jorge will definetely get his long-awaited win sooner rather than later if he continues to be as active as he`s been of late. Jorge`s most impressive results to date, are his 6th place in the Trofeo Calvia and 12th place in the GP Miguel Indurain this year, and his 9th place overall in last years Vuelta a Rioja. Jorge`s arrival will definetely strengthen Euskaltel for next season, no doubt about that. I`m looking forward to see him race in the orange of Euskaltel next season. Aupa Jorge!

Euskaltel shine in Vitoria

tbody>In the Criterium de Vitoria, held in the Basque capital on Saturday, the Euskaltel-Euskadi riders enjoyed much success. Sprinter Koldo Fernandez de Larrea won the elimination race in front of Pereiro Sio and Berasategui. Panaria rider, but soon-to-be-Euskaltel-rider, Aitor Galdos Alonso, won the points competition, in front of fellow Euskaltel rider Samu Sanchez and Pereiro Sio. In the team competition, the team of Astarloza, Isasi, Dueñas, Cuesta, Jimenez, Garrido and Duran won. Samu Sanchez was the best placed Euskaltel rider in the overall, finishing second to Pereiro Sio and in front of Antonio Berasategui.

Amets Txurruka

One of the most exciting riders Euskaltel have signed so far, is in my opinion the talented climber Amets Txurruka Ansola. Born in 1982, he still hasn`t turned 24, and joins Euskaltel from his only professional team to date, Team Barloworld. Regarded as a great climbing prospect, Amets has still to record a pro victory, but last year impressed enough to attract interest from Euskaltel-Euskadi. Especially his great performances in the Euskal Bizicleta, Vuelta a Asturias and the Clasica de Alcobendas this year, where his consistency earned him a ninth place overall in all three races, was impressing. His eight place in the Giro d`Oro and fifth in the Grand Prix de L`ind &Art de Laciano was also impressive stuff, and a lot is expected from him for the 2007 season. He`s definetely a rider to watch out for in the future, believe me. I think we just got ourself a new Igor Ánton.

Updated Euskaltel roster

Though Euskaltel-Euskadi`s 2007 roster has still not been made official, I though it was time to update you on who will be around for sure next year. After the arrival of Bru, and the renovation of Mayoz`s and Laiseka`s contracts, 29 riders make up the team. That means there`s still room for Euskaltel to secure the services of another rider, as the limit for a Pro Tour team is 30 riders. Though, Euskaltel may be pleased with the 29 riders they`ve already got. Anyway, here`s a list of Euskaltel 2007 so far:

- Beñat Albizuri Aransoro
- Igor Anton Hernandez
- Lander Apperibay
- Andoni Aranaga Azkune
- Mikel Astarloza Chaurrau
- Jorge Azanza Soto
- Unai Etxebarria Arana
- Yon Bru Pascal
- Koldo Fernandez de Larre
- Aitor Galdos Alonso
- Dionisio Galparsoro
- Aitor Hernandez Gutierrez
- Iban Iriondo Uranga
- Markel Irizar Aranburu
- Iñaki Isasi Flores
- Roberto Laiseka Jaio
- Iñigo Landaluze Intxaurraga
- Andoni Lafuente
- Antton Luengo Celaya
- Aketza Peña Iza
- Alan Perez Lezaun
- Iban Mayoz Etxeberria
- Ruben Perez Moreno
- Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez
- Amets Txurruka
- Unai Uribarri Artabe
- Gorka Verdugo Markotegui
- Haimar Zubeldia Aguirre
- Joseba Zubeldia Aguirre

That`s why Iban`s my hero

I often start thinking about why exactly Iban is my hero. Why not Cunego, Zubeldia or Bettini for that matter? Why is Iban the one I look up to? I didn`t choose to support him, it just came naturally to me. I`ll try to sum it up everything I like about him:

• He`s extremely talented
• He`s a nice and caring man
• He`s not as over-confident as many other cyclists tend to be
• He`s a climber
• He`s Basque
• He`s not doped. I`m convinced of that
• He`s got flair
• He`s got charisma
• He`s got panache
• He`s the biggest talent of his generation
• He`s just special and different to other cyclists