Come back home Egoi!

Following news that the Discovery Channel team will cease to exist come the end of the season, I, and suspect I'm not the only one, would like to see Egoi Martínez back at Euskaltel. Egoi left the team after the 2005 season came to a close, and has enjoyed success with the American outfit. Among his achievements with the American team is a stage-win in the Vuelta a España last year, a 12th place overall and the mountains jersey in the same race the same year. The power-house has been an intergral part of the team since joining. He also showcased his big talent with Euskaltel before leaving, but since he's only 29, I would love to see him back. He's simply a class-act...

Igor may do Vuelta

It seems that it's up to Igor Antón himself whether he'll ride the Vuelta a España or not. Igor will test his form in the upcoming Vuelta a Burgos, and if he's feeling fresh and ready to go, he'll be at the start line in Vigo on the 1st of September. Of course, the Euskaltel managers will have their say in it, but it looks like it's pretty much his own decision.

B-test still a long way off

It's been revealed that Iban's positive sample won't be tested until the 20th of August in Ghent, Belgium. Iban will know the result of the test at least two/three days later than that, writes the El Correo. Why this is taking SO long is anyone's guess...

Big-guns ready for Burgos

Euskaltel will send three of their most accomplished and talented riders to the Vuelta a Burgos, running from the 14th to the 18th this month. Samu Sánchez will, together with Amets and Igor, lead the way, and will be accompanied by Markel Irizar, who'll look to clock a good time in the ITT, sprinter Iñaki Isasi, Iván Velasco, Aitor Hernández and young prodigy Lander Aperribay. Euskaltel will start out with all guns blazing and with Gorka Gerrikagoitia in the team car.

Time's ticking...

Exactly when will Iban's B-sample result be revealed? This just seems to be taking ages... Each day I find myself nervously checking out the latest news in search of something Iban, but I never seem to find anything. Surely the day must come soon? I don't know what the UCI or the Chataney-Malabry are doing. Are they on vacation? I don't care what you're doing, just get on with the job! We all deserve to know, sooner rather than later...

Vatenfall Cyclassics roster

Euskaltel will head for the Vatenfall Cyclassics Pro Tour one-day race on the 19th of August with mainly the same team that will by then have completed the Deutschland Tour. The only change will be Gorka and Rubén in for Antton Luengo and Unai Uribarri. Full roster: Jon Bru, Alán Pérez, Juanjo Óroz, Koldo Fernández de Larrea, Aitor Galdos, Dioni Galparsoro, Gorka Verdugo and Rubén Pérez.

B-sample back tomorrow?

It's rumoured that Iban's B-test result will be revealed tomorrow. I guess that wouldn't be so strange, after all it's been at least a week. If it comes back tomorrow, you'll find it here. Mistakes do happen, so I'm hoping for a miracle. The end may be near...

Tour evaluation

Yeah, I know it's a bit late, after all it's been more than a week since it ended now. But, nonetheless, here's my evaluation of each rider's performance in the Tour.

• Haimar Zubeldia: Absolutely fantastic, nothing less. A 5th place overall just underlines Haimar's qualities against the clock and his climbing, and not least his consistency. He's an amazing rider, and I was really pleased to see him attack in the mountains for once. He should do more of that. The stage-win eluded him, but he'll be pleased nonetheless. Aupa Haimar!
• Igor Antón: The only disappointment as far as I can see. Abandoned early, and didn't look good while he was riding. Has now been taking a breather, something that'll do him the world of good I think. Though, he did crash heavily once, and also suffered from some kind of illness, so he's partially excused. He'll bounce back with some wins later this year, mark my words.
• Mikel Astarloza: A lot of experts has dubbed him the "revelation" of the race. Finished 9th after solid climbing and spectacular time trialling throughout. Has enjoyed a stellar first season with the team, and he truly lived up to expectations for those three weeks. Still only 27 though, so much more to come from him I'm sure. Great race, great performance, great rider. He's just what the team needs, and will surely be sought after by the other Pro Tour teams when his contract expires. One of the most important riders on the team, but he has to improve his acceleration on the climbs if he's to challenge for a podium spot in the future. But, still, you're brilliant Mikel. Just brilliant...
• Jorge Azanza: Came through all three weeks strong, if unspectacular. He came to get experience, and he sure did. Did the dirty work for the team when asked, and contributed to the strong overall team performance. 82nd overall is not bad for a Tour debutant; not bad at all actually. Formed part of a couple of breaks along the way as well, so thumbs up for Jorge. He'll be one of the cornerstones in the team for the future, and this Tour has given him the experience he needs to progress further I think.
• Iñaki Isasi: Took a while to get going for him it seemed, but came through. Though, he's been out injured for most of the season, so he did well. Notched up two top 15 placings in sprints if I'm not mistaken, and reached Paris ranked 90th. Not bad, but the fast-man will be hoping for a stronger showing in the Vuelta in September.
• Iñigo Landaluze: Same old story... Once again lit up the race with his aggressive racing, and looked to be in top, top shape, but all he ended up with was another 2nd place. You have to feel for the guy, but he'll take comfort in the fact that he was super strong all three weeks. A 43rd place overall is also really good for a breakaway specialist like him, though he's not going to throw a party just for that I'm afraid. Will be looking for a stage-win in come the Vuelta, something he's no doubt capable of pulling off. Anyway, back to the Tour. He was once again an integral part of the team, so his bosses will be happy with him. So am I.
• Rubén Pérez: He really came of age during the Tour. He was nothing short of phenomenal, period. Was the rider who ended up being the most in breaks, and that tells you all about this young rider's attitude. Sacrificed himself several times for the team's greater good, and that's something sports directors and fans alike like to see. Great stuff from Rubén, who's really put his name on the map of pro cycling. Ended up an honourable 50th.
• Amets Txurruka: Few had heard of this young fellow prior to the Tour, but now he's on everyone's lips. First of all, winning the most aggressive rider prize in his first ever outing in the race speaks volumes. But what impressed me the most was his 23rd place overall and his 3rd place in the young riders competition. I've always been aware of his climbing skills, but now I think everyone else is as well. He's going to be a great rider young Amets.
• Gorka Verdugo: The best I've ever seen of him. I've always valued Gorka and riders like him, but seeing him so active and so strong on the climbs really opened my eyes for his qualities. He was everpresent in breaks and really, like Rubén and Amets, put his mark on the race. More of the same for the future please!
  
  

Euskaltel for Deutschland Tour

Euskaltel will send the following 8 riders to the Deutschland Tour starting on Friday: Aitor Galdos, Koldo Fernández, Unai Uribarri, Dioni Galparsoro, Antton Luengo, Juanjo Oroz, Jon Bru and Alán Pérez. As Euskaltel's two main sprinters, Aitor and Koldo, will be present, hopes for good sprint results are high. The team will probably pin their general classification hopes on Dioni, who'll be looking for a strong showing to show he's worthy of a place in Euskaltel's Vuelta line-up. Overall it looks like a solid team, so I'm for once expecting good results from Euskaltel in this race. Antton lit up the race last year with some impressing climbing, so he'll be hoping for a repeat performance. Aupa!

Bravo Iban!

Watch Iban's Giro success at the right-hand menu by clicking on "Iban wins in the Giro". The clip shows the last km of racing, and includes post-stage Iban comments. Great vid...

Unai's last season

Euskaltel will bid farewell to one of it's most accomplished and important riders come the end of the season. Unai Etxebarria will, according to DEIA, leave the team after the season. By the end of the year he'll be 35, so I guess it's not that strange. Whether he'll find another team or retire, I don't know, but I assume he'll call it quits completely and hang up the bike as Euskaltel is the only team he's ever been with.

Euskaltel look to the future

Euskaltel head Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano revealed that the team for the 2008 season will be made up of only 26 riders. That means that five riders will have to leave the team, as Javier Aramendia, now with Orbea, has already agreed to join Euskaltel. 30 riders are on the roster this year, or perhaps 29, I´m not sure in fact. Aketza Peña's situation is at the moment, to me at least, a bit up in the air following his positive test in the Giro d'Oro. Maybe I've missed something, but I can't recall the B-sample being tested. Anyway, Galdeano also said the team will reduce their racing schedule for next year. Races like Santarèm, Vuelta a Asturias, Vuelta a la Rioja and Trentino are all of the calendar for 2008. That's a bit sad I think, as I think Euskaltel is already the team doing the fewest races out of all 20 Pro Tour teams. I haven't looked at the statistics, but it sure feels like it.

Vuelta a España team

Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano spoke to the Basque daily Diario Vasco yesterday and talked about the team for the Vuelta in September. He said that there are five riders who are certain for a starting spot, while the rest are up for grabs for those who can impress in the pre-Vuelta races. The five riders he talked of was Samu, who'll captain the team, Haimar, Iñigo Landaluze, Iñaki Isasi and Koldo Fernández. Great to see Koldo in the squad; had been expecting him to ride the Vuelta for a while. That leaves four vacant spots. Iván Velasco, Aitor Hernández, Markel Irizar and Dioni Galparsoro are some of the riders that´ll be hoping to ride, but according to Galdeano, there are several other rider in the running as well. I had hoped Igor would ride it, but it sure doesn´t look like it now.

Amets 11th in Urkiola

Amets finished a good 11th in today's Subida a Urkiola, while he also claimed the most aggressive rider prize. The youngster showcased his great form by infiltrating in the break of the day, along with Unai and Beñat Albizuri, and finishing an honourable 11th. The next best Euskaltel rider was Iván Velasco who came in 24th. He´s been having a good first season in the Pro Tour, and will look to get some results in the up coming races. Though, Antton Luengo wasn´t as good as I had hoped he would be. Antton came home 48th, more than 10 minutes down. I´m not sure what to make of the rest of the list of results, as Aitor, Alán and Unai are all marked as FCO, whatever that means. I´ve no idea... The rest of the guys abandoned, as I do know what ABN means. If anyone figures out what FCO is supposed to mean, tell me.