Wtf?

I know I've said this like a hundred times before but, seriously, this wait has got to stop some time. What's going on, and why isn't CAS, Iban, his representatives, or anyone for that matter, saying something? Please give us a clue to what's happening right now! Perhaps they aren't allowed to speak to the media concerning the case while it's being decided upon. I guess that makes sense. But it doesn't make it less frustrating. I've checked CAS' website a million times, but there's never anything there. I even sent them a mail, asking them what's taking so long. Kind of lame thing to do, I know. It's not like they're going to answer me, but I figured it was worth a couple of minutes of my time. It was a long-shot, and of course I haven't received an answer. Tomorrow it will be a month since they were supposed to issue a ruling. And it's been 8 monhts since he tested "positive"... What a mess, and what an unnecessary one. It's unvelievable but, hey, this is cycling. This is bad enough for us, his fans, but it must be torture for Iban. What's going to happen next is anyone's guess, but I've got a suggestion: nothing.

Euskaltel shine in Llodio

Euskaltel grabbed 3rd, 4th and 6th in today's GP Llodio. That it was an awesome performance goes without saying I guess. Just a shame that the win eluded the team... Guerra of LA Liberty won solo, a full 1:01 ahead of the chasing peloton which was led hom by Rojas, Aitor Galdos and Koldo, in that order. Dioni landed a brilliant 6th place as well, while Igor came home a good 14th. All four Euskaltel riders were among the 15-man strong chase group. Aitor and Koldo in tandem obviously worked out brilliantly; more of that please! As the list of results is only 20 riders long, there's not much more to say I'm afraid, except for "good job guys".

Critérium International round-up

Euskaltel performed well in today's two last stages of the Critérium International. On the first stage, a short, but very hilly, affair, Mikel and Egoi came in with the best, both 1:43 down in 16th and 17th respectively. Egoi was even in the first serious break of the day but, sadly, the break came to nothing. Jorge also rode well on that first stage, coming in 1:50 back. Stage 2 results:

• 16th, Mikel Astarloza, 1:43
• 17th, Egoi Martínez, s.t.
• 32nd, Jorge Azanza, 1:50
• 37th, Iñigo Landaluze, 2:05
• 46th, Iván Velasco, 3:01
• 93rd, Josu Agirre, 8:01
• 118th, Aitor Hernández, 9:00

These results meant that Egoi and Mikel were both well placed overall going into the decisive 8,3 km ITT. Mikel did well to grab 21st place, only 32 seconds down on Norwegian hotshot Boasson Hagen. Egoi disappointed with only posting the 68th best time, a full 1:05 down. Mikel thus ended up a good 11th, while Egoi dropped to 20th overall. Aitor Hernández did reasonably well to claim 41st, only 52 seconds in arrears. Stage 3 results:

• 21st, Mikel Astarloza, 0:32
• 41st, Aitor Hernández, 0:52
• 68th, Egoi Martínez, 1:05
• 70th, Jorge Azanza, 1:07
• 76th, Josu Agirre, 1:13
• 93rd, Iñigo Landaluze, 1:31
• 104th, Iván Velasco, 1:43

Overall Mikel was 11th, Egoi 20th, Jorge 42nd, Iñigo 48th, Iván 53rd, Aitor 90th and Josu 104th. Not bad, not bad at all actually, but not breathtaking either. Mikel and Egoi both look to be in solid form these days, while Jorge also seems to be coming along nicely. Josu is obviously still finding his feet in these races, but that's only natural. He'll come good; trust me. The team ended up a good 5th as a team. Of course that doesn't mean anything at all, but I've always valued team-work, so it's always a positive I reckon.

Jon out of Llodio line-up; Amets in

Jon has, for one reason or another, decided to not take part in tomorrow's GP Llodio. Amets will step in and take his place. I'm curious to know why Jon won't be there, but the team's website didn't say anything about it. He's had a tough racing-program so far this season, so maybe it's just fatigue. Or maybe not; maybe it's something completely different. I have no idea, but rest assured I'll bring you the reason for it as soon as I find out.

Egoi opens Critérium with 8th place

The two-day, three-stage Critérium International got off to a good start for Euskaltel's two GC hopes. Egoi and Mikel both managed to stay with the first group when the pack split into several pieces due to the wind. Egoi sprinted well to claim 8th on the stage, while Mikel came in 28th. Only 34 riders made up that first group, and it's highly likely that the overall win will go to one of those 34. Tomorrow will see the riders take on two stages; a short, but hilly affair early in the day, followed by a 8,3 km ITT. Looks tailor-made for both of them... Aitor, Jorge, Iñigo and Iván came in with group number 2, 6:51 down, while Josu came home with the last group, 12:40 back. Sadly, Antton does not figure on the list of results. I assume he took to the start, so I'm afraid he abandoned. Hopefully his "personal problems" haven't come back to haunt him, whatever these "problems" may be. I'm just hoping he's okay.

Line-ups galore

So I've got something like 6 line-ups for different races for you today. In cronological order:

• Critérium International (29/3-30/3): Mikel, Egoi, Iñigo, Jorge, Iván, Josu, Antton and Aitor Hernández. Great to see Antton back in action. Hopefully his "personal problems" are behind him by now. As the time trial in this race usually decides the outcome, I'm optimistic, as Mikel and Egoi are both good against the clock. More on the first stage later today.
• GP Llodio (30/3): Samu, Igor, Koldo, Iñaki, Rubén, Aitor Galdos, Juanjo, Markel, Dioni and Jon. Surely the team to beat at the race. Samu, Igor, Koldo, Aitor and Rubén will all start out as favourites, but there's no hiding Koldo will be the main man to beat tomorrow. Hopefully he can capitalize on his great form and give the team it's third season win. Igor, Rubén and Iñaki are also supposed to be approaching peak form at the moment, so watch out for those as well.
• GP Miguel Indurain (5/4): Amets, Dioni, Jorge, Antton, Egoi, Mikel, Igor, Jon, Iñaki and Iván. This one-day race in Navarra is one of the team's biggest goals of the season according to Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano, so expect one hell of a race from the team. It's a rather hilly affair, so Amets, Egoi, Mikel and Igor should be the protected riders in the team.
• Ronde van Vlaanderen (6/4): Josu, Lander, Javier, Koldo, Juanjo, Alán, Andoni and Markel. Koldo will no doubt be the team's captain, but I expect the likes of Markel and Alán to put on a strong showing as well, perhaps getting into an early break or something. But don't expect too much; these kind of races really aren't Euskaltel's cup of tea.
• Vuelta al País Vasco (7/4-12/4): Igor, Mikel, Iñigo, Rubén, Iñaki, Amets, Jorge and Egoi. As usual a very important race for the team. Igor and Mikel are expected to lead the chase for overall glory but, with the form some of the others are showing at the moment, Euskaltel can win any stage to be honest. I'd love to see Iñigo have a go at the GC as well; he looked good in Tirreno and San Remo recently. Looks like an awesome team; can't wait for the start. Euskaltel will be at their very best in this race, trust me.

Koldo: "I'm maturing"

Koldo was all smiles when speaking to the media after his win today. Here's what the fast-man had to say to the team's website: "The team has worked a lot in this race. We've done all we can to win, and today we succeeded. Samu was phenomenal on the first three stages, but he didn't manage to actually grab a win. He was fifth in the time trial, attacked on the climb to Ávila, and he came second in the sprint on stage three. He's preparing himself for the Tour de France at this time, but with the class he possesses he can do anything. We've been fighting every day and, although you can be pleased with the yield without a win to show for it, a win brings tranquility and it highlights the great work of the team. We find it hard to win in this team, but we're getting there." Speaking about his own development, he said: "I'm calmer than I used to be when approaching a sprint. I'm still not as calm as I should be, but I'm maturing. I'm more confident and I've got more belief in myself, and as a result I do a lot fewer mistakes than I used to. In the end the experience helps you to time the sprint better and to trust yourself more. The closing kilometres were quite dangerous today. I had the support of Isasi and Txurruka in the final part, and they were both vital in keeping the race under control. The last two turns to the left were dangerous; someone even fell... I was lucky to avoid it, and in the last metres I got infront without getting out of the saddle at all." Speaking of the near future and the upcoming races, he said: "The primary target is to arrive in top form for the Giro, and I'm getting there. My form is getting better all the time. Today a group of the 25 strongest formed, and I was in it. Therefore I'm not dicarding anything facing the GP Llodio on Sunday. I'll try to stay with the best ones and fight for the win. I worked hard this winter, and now I'm able reap the benefits of that work. It's very rewarding, and I must take full advantage of these moments." And my word he does...

Koldo continues hot streak

Koldo sprinted to victory on today's fifth and last stage of the Vuelta a Castilla y León. He beat Thomas Dekker and Francisco Ventoso with ease to take home his, and the team's, second win of the year. It was a convincing and deserved win for the whole team, and it will do Koldo's confidence the world of good.

The day started in the best possible way for Euskaltel, with Samu breaking clear early on with 5 others and creating a 4-minute gap pack to the Rabobank and Barloworld-led peloton. Samu looked awesome, and on the last climb of the day, the tough cat. 2 Puerto de las Señales, he attacked with force. Only Basque Caisse d'Epargne rider Xabier Zandion managed to keep up, but the two were sadly(?) reeled back in with some 12 clicks to go. The final 10 kilometres were a hectic affair, with riders going off the front continuosly. But it all got back together for the anticipated bunch-sprint, were the high speed proved too much for some riders. Pfannberger and Pinto both hit the deck hard inside the last 200, setting it up for a caotic finish. Koldo easily out-sprinted the rest to claim his third career win. Iñaki and Amets came in with the same group, while Markel and Dioni ended up 2:55 back on the day. Jon came in a further 4 minutes down, while Samu for the first, and hopefully last time, ended up dead last, 7:06 in arrears. Iñaki thus finished highest placed overall in a discreet 31st place. Amets was right behind in 35th, Koldo ended up 61st, Markel 66th, Dioni 73rd, Samu 76th and Jon finished 86th. Euskaltel ended up 11th in the team classification. Stay tuned for post-stage interviews.

Dismal day in Castilla y León

Euskaltel did not enjoy the best of days in the Vuelta a Castilla y León's 4th stage today. Euskaltel where not even close to fight for the win on the queen-stage, with Amets the best rider in 27th place. Samu was nowhere to be seen, but I assume he's just taking this as training. There was one positive to take from the day though; Dioni got into the break. He looked okey, and scored a couple of mountains points on the way, but was as expected reeled back in. Not a lot more to say I'm afraid. Full results:

• 27th, Amets Txurruka, 1:56
• 40th, Iñaki Isasi, 2:33
• 55th, Jon Bru, 4:01
• 68th, Markel Irizar, 4:37
• 69th, Samuel Sánchez, s.t.
• 85th, Dioni Galparsoro, 7:21
• 86th, Koldo Fernández, s.t.

Poll results: Is Iban your all-time favourite rider?

This poll took me by surprise I have to say. Of course, it's called Iban Mayo Blog, so some of my readers have to be Iban-fans, but I had no idea 57 % of you rate Iban as your all-time favourite. I guess this just goes to prove that Iban is, truly, appreciated all over the world.

Samu 2nd on third stage

Samu is showing surprisingly good form at the Vuelta a Ciclista Castilla y León. Today he got 2nd on the tough uphill sprint into Villa del Libro de Urueña. He looked to have won it for a second, before Ventoso came right out of the blue to win comfortably. Samu perhaps mistimed his dash for the line a little, so he'll no doubt be a bit disapointed today. But on the bright side he's showing excellent condition, and he advanced to 4th overall with two stages left. Koldo also performed remarkably well, claiming 6th on the uphill sprint. Jon was also impressive, coming home 8th, and as a result giving Euskaltel a clear win in today's team competition. The other Euskaltel riders also came in with the pack, so it was a good day overall. Tomorrow will see the riders tackle the queen-stage of the race, and Samu will be one of the favourites to take the win alongside Contador, Dekker, Mollema and Soler, just to name a few.

Samu goes close in Ávila

Samu went oh so close to winning the first real stage of the Vuelta a Castilla y León today. He put in a last-ditch attack up the steep, cobbled climbs leading up to Ávila, but was reeled in with some 400 metres to go. At one stage he looked to have won it, going solo up the climb, but the last hundred metres of flat proved to be Samu's undoing today. He looked superb though, so he should no doubt take encouragement from his display. The peloton split into several pieces up the last climb, as expected, and three other Euskaltel riders made it in with the first group. Koldo got 20th, two places behind Samu, Dioni was 27th and Iñaki was 39th. Markel and Amets lead home a small group 29 seconds in arrears, also including Jon, placing 78th, 79th and 83rd respectively. Andoni is nowhere to be seen on the list of results, so I assume he must have abandoned underway. Tomorrow's stage will be one for the fast-men, so expect Koldo to fight for the win alongside JJ Haedo in particular.

Samu 5th in Castilla y León prologue

Samu got off to a great start in the five-day Vuelta a Castilla y León today. He blasted through the 9.7-km long prologue to take 5th place, just 19 seconds down on winner Contador. Given that Samu is a long way off reaching top form, this is impressive stuff. Can't wait to see him in top form in July for the Tour de France. Samu might well end up on the final podium there, due to his constant progression in the time trials and in the mountains. But enough about the Tour... Iñaki also did well today to claim the 28th best time, 43 seconds down, while Dioni came in another two places back, 44 seconds down. Markel disappointed a bit by ending up a distant 60th, 1 minute 1 second down. Koldo was 70th, 1:06 in arrears, Amets was 87th, 1:12 back, Andoni was 99th, 1:22 backm while Jon ended 106th, a full 1:26 behind. The real racing will get underway tomorrow with a hilly 141,7-long affair from Segovia to Ávila, so I expect some of the riders, Dioni, Markel, Jon and Andoni in particular, to be in search of the right break.

Complete Castilla y León roster

Euskaltel will field the following eight riders in the Vuelta a Castilla y León, starting tomorrow: Jon, Amets, Koldo, Andoni, Iñaki, Samu, Dioni and Markel. The race kicks off with tough-looking 9-km prologue, so watch out for, especially, Markel and Samu. Koldo and Iñaki will likely get their chance to sprint on stage 3, while stages 2 and 5 might also end up in bunch-sprints. Stage 4, though, will definetely be one for the climbers, so Dioni will likely be the team's man for that stage, given that Samu is still some way off top form and Amets hasn't competed since early February. I'm looking foward to see Jon in action again, as he's looked strong so far this year. Tune in to Iban Mayo Blog every day for results and analysis as the race gets underway.