Zubeldia reflects on Euskaltel years

Haimar Zubeldia is likely to spend 2012 doing exactly what he's been doing for the last few years: riding his heart out for the biggest riders in the peloton. Though he's come to be known as one of the most dependable and valuable domestiques deluxe in the business, there was a time when the native of Usurbil, once likened to Basque cycling's biggest son Miguel Indurain, was the captain for his team at the most prestigious races on the calendar. Sitting down with El Pedal de Frodo, the legendary rider reflected on those years when Euskaltel were at the top of their powers.

"Those 11 years with Euskaltel were very good, and I'll always be grateful for the chance they gave me to turn professional", he said. "I achieved my best results there, and I made friends I still see today. The group with which I'm training these days is exclusively made up of former or current Euskaltel riders."

The team's performance at the Tour in 2003 is fondly remembered by fans and riders alike, and still ranks as the team's stand-out performance at the Grand Boucle. Yet despite the excellent results obtained that summer, Zubeldia admits they could have been even better.

"What we (Zubeldia and Mayo) achieved was quite something, and, during the Tour, the guys in charge wanted us to hold on to what we had rather than gamble in the hope of getting more. Perhaps we could have finished higher up, but we could have lost it all as well. All in all, I think we made history".

Quizzed on his first wins with the team, the softly-spoken climber admitted success at the Euskal Bizikleta in 2000 was more than he ever had dared to dream of.

"Winning the time trial was very special. I knew I was in good shape, but I didn't expect to ride that fast. In my third year with the team I grabbed my first victory, and, what's more, I did it in the Euskal Bizikleta! I'd never imagined pulling something like that off."

A maiden win usually ranks right up there with a rider's best days on a bike. For Zubeldia, though, the best day he ever had on two wheels was at that race: the 2003 Tour.

"I've never felt better than I did in 2003 on the stage to Ax-3-Domaines. It was like riding a bike without a chain".

To relive the epic stage 13 of that year's Tour, click this link.

All chopped up

They say risk is part of cyclists' everyday life. Mikel Astarloza would no doubt vouch for that. Cooking earlier today at his home in San Sebastián, the former Tour de France stage-winner unintentionally cut his left thumb - and required an impressive seven stitches for it. The pic above, posted at the rider's own twitter account some hours ago, shows that eloquently. Luckily for him, the Mallorca Challenge is still some five weeks off, so it won't jeopardize his start to the season.

Transfer season verdict

As 2012 is just around the corner and the new season less than a month away, it's high time to take stock of the comings and goings at Euskaltel this off-season. With the team unable to escape the tough economic climate plaguing professional cycling, the class of 2012 will have to punch well above its weight to survive at cycling's top tabel.

A reduced budget has forced Euskaltel to make do with a bare 23 riders for the entire 2012 season. That's two less than this year and the smallest number of riders since 1999. Make no mistake: these are testing times. For a team set to tackle the entire WorldTour-calendar, a sizeable amount of the Spanish one and three Grand Tours, a 23-rider roster will test the team's quality in depth to the max. In that respect, it's a shame five of the more experienced riders on the team have departed.

Koldo Fernández, Iñaki Isasi, Javier Aramendía, Jonathan Castroviejo and Daniel Sesma will all head for pastures new. Fernández leaving and Isasi retiring leave Euskaltel with a well-documented lack of an out-and-out sprinter in its ranks. Though they've both failed to come up with the goods in terms of results these last couple of years, they both represent a considerable loss to the team. Without the duo, Euskaltel will likely struggle for presence in the sprints frequently.

Castroviejo's departure no doubt represents the biggest loss though. And a worrying trend at it. Like Intxausti, he's a safe bet for future top results. And again like Intxausti, he's opted to leave his home team in search of greener pastures elsewhere. It's rumoured the loss of the Basque Country's biggest talents to rival teams prompted general manager Igor González de Galdeano to call it quits this year. If there's any truth to the rumours is unclear. But it's obviously not helping the team, and Euskaltel will miss Castroviejo's time trialing expertise and overall ability come next season.

Aramendía and Sesma leaving were not surprising given their results (or rather lack thereof) the last few years. But Aramendía's strength and speed on the flats and in the sprints should not be underestimated, while Sesma was a sure bet to offer Euskaltel exposure in every race he participated in. For a relatively young team, their experience will be missed.

In comes three youngsters from Orbea. Victor Cabedo is one of the most sought-after Spaniards in the peloton and needs no further introduction. He'll be a future great if he continues to develop at the pace he's been doing this year. Ricardo García possess climbing and time trialling ability and might, after a year or two, become a pivotal part of Euskaltel's stage-racing team. Solid rider - signing him strengthens the team. Adrián Sáez is of the Sesma-mould, aggressive and strong on the flats, but importantly also possesses the skill to acquire results on his own. At 25, he's no young, raw talent. On the plus side, with age comes maturity and experience.

To sum it up: while the Orbea trio represent decent, perhaps even good, signings, the loss of proven winners Castroviejo and Fernández leave Euskaltel even more dependent on their captains. Antón, Nieve and Sánchez will all be forced to come up with the goods if the team is to reach the high benchmark they've set themselves the last two years. In addition, stalwarts like Verdugo, Velasco, Martínez, Astarloza, Oroz and Txurruka will have to be at the top of their game to provide the team with results in stage-races where none of the 'big three' will be present.

And even more will be expected of youngsters like the Izagirre brothers, Sicard, Landa et al. While they all possess unquestioned quality, they would in an ideal world have had more top-quality, veteran riders around to guide them. Riders like Juanma Garate, David López, Imanol Erviti and the likes spring to mind, but for various reasons they've opted to pursue their careers elsewhere. In their absence, it will take a concerted team effort to guide an Euskaltel high on quality but low on quantity to reach the lofty heights of 2011.

Durán leaves pro peloton

Geox-TMC rider Arkaitz Durán will spend 2012 racing on the Spanish amateur circuit, reports reliable Spanish website www.biciciclismo.com.

The 25-year-old, who's been a part of Geox-boss Joxean Fernández Matxin's outfit in its various guises since 2006, has failed to find a spot on a professional team in the wake of Geox's sudden withdrawal. As a result, he'll spend a year with Azysa-Conor - the outfit former Naturgas and Orbea rider Mikel Ilundain calls home.

The team enjoyed a dominant 2011 season and will look for similar success in 2012. It's improbable they'll be able to call on the services of Durán beyond that though: BiciCiclismo has it that the native of Vitoria is likely to return to the professional fold in 2013.

Sesma swaps bike for massage

After four years as a professional, Daniel Sesma has decided to call it quits. The 27-year-old was released by Euskaltel at the end of the season and was unsuccessful in his search for a new home. He won't leave the sport altogether though.

According to el Diario de Navarra, the native of Arre will stay on with Euskaltel as a part-time masseur. The rider, arguably the team's most aggressive performer in 2011, reported back in October that he was running out of time to find a new team, and it now transpires that time has run out on his career. Prior to joining Euskaltel ahead of the 2010 season, Sesma spent two years at the outfit's feeder team, Orbea.

He leaves the sport without a single top three placing to his name, his best result being sixth overall at the Vuelta Ciclista a Navarra back in 2008. But even though he struggled to impose himself among the pros, Sesma completed this year's grueling Giro d'Italia and has been a near ever-present in breaks throughout his stay with the team.

Another rider without contract hailing from Navarra, Patxi Vila, has been more successful on the job market. The former Lampre rider, positive for testosterone three year ago, has landed a contract with the Irish-registred Continental team Utensilnord-Named. Guillermo Lana, of Estella in Navarra, will swap Spain and Caja Rural for France and amateur-team U.C. Avignon.

Sáez "fearless" ahead of debut

Euskaltel's signing of Adrián Sáez de Arregui Egurrola was anything but ordinary. The 25-year-old was facing an uncertain future just a few months ago, having been released by Orbea at the end of the 2011 season. Then Igor González de Galdeano's retirement prompted veteran Iñaki Isasi's retirement, freeing up a spot on the team. Possessing experience, age and much-needed all-round skills, the native of Araia was a natural fit. Having made the step up into the big league virtually through the backdoor, you'd excuse Sáez for being a little intimidated ahead of his Euskaltel bow at a race as big as the Tour Down Under in less than a month. Speaking to Spanish news agency EFE, he revealed he's not.

"I'm facing the Tour Down Under with respect. But not with fear", was the clear message.

Sáez will line-up at the WorldTour stage-race alongside fellow new-boys Ricardo García and Victor Cabedo, as well as Gorka Izagirre, Pablo Urtasun, Romain Sicard and Rubén Pérez. Getting the season underway in warm and cycling-friendly Australia is widely regarded as the optimal start to a new year - something he's hoping to take advantage of by being in decent shape already in January.

"This year's off-season has been pretty much the same as every off-season. That being said, I'm aiming to be in a good state of form earlier than usual. I've also spoken to my team-mates about this race, and they say racing in the Australian summer is the best way to get prepared for the remainder of the year".

Upon completing the Tour Down Under, Sáez is hoping to be selected for the Mallorca Challenge in February. His schedule for the rest of the year has of yet not been announced.

Zabalo eyeing recovery

Having dramatically escaped death only four months ago, Xabier Zabalo has revealed he's likely to make a full recovery. The Orbea youngster crashed badly at the Giro Valle d'Aosta in Italy in August, fracturing his jaw, a temporal bone and being diagnosed with a hematoma. His injuries left his budding career in jeopardy, but now, less than two months before the 2012 season gets underway on Mallorca, the 24-year-old says he's likely to once again don the iconic blue jersey of Orbea next year.

"The doctors tell me my injuries are healing well and that I'll return to full health", the rider told el Diario de Navarra. "My life is returning to normal, but I still have to visit the neurologist for another check-up before being discharged. Let's wait to hear what they've got to say, but I'm looking forward to making my comeback".

Having spent considerable time off the bike in recent months, the native of Olatzagutia has naturally put on weight and is some way off top form at the time of writing. In a bid to get back into shape for the upcoming season, Zabalo has therefore spent time in the gym trying to regain lost muscle mass.

"In the gym, my body wants more. I need to up the hours. I've regained some of what I've lost, but I've still got room for improvement. When I'm on the bike, I'm cautious. I'm not afraid, but I'm being cautious. I have no problem staying upright though. I feel safe on my bike".

According to the newspaper, he's now doing regular two-hour rides on the road. Zabalo has clearly got his sights set on continuing as a professional, but he's also been offered a job as a trainer on the team in the case he opts for a career off the bike.

"They've reserved a spot for me on the team. They've told me not to hurry, but I really want to rejoin the team. We'll see how it goes".

Orbea roster 2012: Jon Aberasturi, Aritz Bagües, Carlos Barbero, Mikel Bizkarra, Andoni Blazquez, Aritz Etxebarria, Omar Fraile, Igor Merino, Haritz Orbe, Xabier Zabalo and Illart Zuazubiskar.

Duo goes aero

Young Euskaltel pair Peio Bilbao and Adrián Sáez fine-tuned their time trial positions at the team's biomechanics lab earlier this week, writes www.fundacioneuskadi.com.

'The team's biomechanics lab' is actually doctor Juan García López of the University in León's lab, but it's where the riders usually head for when trying to optimize their aero tuck in the close-season. The team has been sending a selection of riders to the lab since Igor González de Galdeano's tenure started back in 2005 in the hope of improving the team's performances against the clock. Wonderkid Peio Bilbao has shown glimpses of quality in the race of truth previously, while 25-year-old Sáez, who enjoyed a rich vein of form towards the end of the 2011 campaign, is more noted for his all-round skills rather than for his time trial pedigree. The two spent four hours each on the bike in search of that perfect position.

The riders' work at the lab these last few years have been largely beneficial - let's hope the same goes for the former Orbea team-mates.

Euskadi cyclo-cross champs

Egoitz Murgoitio was at his dominant best in today's Basque cyclo-cross championships in Llodio, crushing the opposition to take back to back golds. 'Best of the rest' was, again, Orbea's Aitor Hernández. The former Euskaltel man trailed the Hirumet Taldea star by a huge 1:16 upon crossing the line, but still did enough to hold off former winner Javier Ruíz de Larriñaga. It was the native of Ermua's second consecutive silver, having been bested by the impressive Murgoitio last year as well. Aketza Peña grabbed a noteworthy fourth, while Hernández's team-mate and mountain bike olympics hopeful Iñaki Lejarreta captured sixth. Elite results:

• 1, Egoitz Murgoitio
• 2, Aitor Hernández, 1:16
• 3, Javier Ruiz de Larriñaga, 1:36
• 4, Aketza Peña, 2:42
• 5, Erlantz Uriarte, 3:49

Not surprisingly, Jonathan Lastra took out the sub-23 win, pipping Iñigo Gómez on the line. The latter's brother, Jon, closed out the podium. As Lastra is a team-mate of Murgoitio's, the victory meant Hirumet Taldea took out the two biggest races. In addition, the team took out the Galician champs courtesy of Pablo Rodríguez. Former Naturgas Energía stalwart David Hidalgo finished just off the podium in fourth, while Debabarrena's Peio Goikoetxea snatched fifth in front of Jon Ander Insausti of Seguros Bilbao. Under-23 results:

• 1, Jonathan Lastra
• 2, Iñigo Gómez, s.t.
• 3, Jon Gómez, 3:21
• 4, David Hidalgo, 5:42
• 5, Peio Goikoetxea, 7:23

Again entirely as expected, Jonathan Bilbao of Gastronomia Baska-Avia was crowned regional junior champ. Bilbao, who's continuously sporting Euskaltel's old-style white and orange Catlike Whisper casco, bested Álex Aranburu and Eneko Corrales. Junior results:

• 1, Jonathan Bilbao
• 2, Álex Aranburu, 0:16
• 3, Eneko Corrales, 0:56
• 4, Aritz Hernández, 1:42
• 5, Xavier Goikoetxea 2:33

Among the women, Olatz Ordiozola came out tops in the elite category, while Eider Merino annihilated the junior field. For full results, click here.

Briefs

• As expected, Spanish national coach José Luis de Santos virtually guarantees reigning champ Samuel Sánchez will be selected to represent his country at the London Olympics next summer. Speaking to BiciCiclismo, de Santos said the Euskaltel captain, Óscar Freire, Alejandro Valverde and Alberto Contador are near dead-certs to take four of the five spots on the team. "He's the reigning champ and the 'soul' of our Olympic dream, so he should be considered one of the leaders", the coach said of the Beijing 2008 victor. "And he's a smart rider who knows how to seize the opportunities presented to him. He showed as much in Beijing".
• What with Cavendish deservedly taking out BBC's Sports Personality of the Year-award and Phil Gilbert racking up gongs after gongs at home as well as abroad, cyclists seem to be all the rage at the yearly awards ceremonies. Iñaki Isasi was earlier this week honoured by the sports writers of Álava, and yesterday Samuel Sánchez was voted "Best professional cyclist of 2011" in his home region of Asturias.
• Esteemed Spanish cycling website El Pedal de Frodo yesterday held it's own awards gala. Hordes of cyclists and celebrities of the sport were present at the ceremony in the picturesque village of Iurreta, Vizcaya, including the likes of Roberto Laiseka, Beñat Intxausti, Juan Marí Guajardo, Javier Bodegas, Miguel Minguz, Davíd Lopez García, Pedro Horrillo, Víctor de la Parte and Koldo Fernández. Standout climber Mikel Landa was voted "Best young rider", Mikel Nieve "Beste Basque", Omar Fraile "Best sub-23 rider" and Igor Antón "'Bilbainada' of the year". Entirely as anticipated, Alberto Contador was elected "Rider of the year".

Briefs

• Rubén Pérez, Gorka Izagirre, Romain Sicard and Pabo Urtasun are back from their nine-day pre-season training camp at the Costa Blanca. The quartet headed for the cycling-friendly cost to fine-tune their form ahead of the rapidly-approaching season-opener in Australia next month, and DS Larrazabal, who went with them, outlined the importance of the camp upon its completion. "At this stage of the 2012 preparations, long low-intensity rides are vital. It lays the foundations for the season ahead. Especially for these guys, who'll all start off early next year, it's of utmost importance. The Costa Blanca is the only place, at this time of year, where the weather allows you to to ride outside every day, so that's why we spent all of nine days here", Larrazabal told the team's website.
• Several Basque professionals are currently without a team for the upcoming season. Beñat Urain of Orbea has not been successful in finding a new home so far, while the same goes for Euskaltel's Daniel Sesma. Lampre's Aitor Pérez Arrieta is still on the look-out, while Geox's folding leaves Arkaitz Durán without a ride. In all, 40 Spanish professionals of this year is without a contract for next year.
• Earlier this week, the retiring Iñaki Isasi was honoured by the sport journalists of his home region of Álava. The sprinter, who calls Respaldiza home, was awarded the Pin de Oro by the Association of Sport Journalists of Álava. To read more, click this link.

Tour over Olympics for Samu

For Samuel Sánchez, deciding on whether to focus the most on the Tour de France or the Olympic Games next year was a no-brainer: it's all for the Tour. As he points out in an interview with Teledeporte, pinning everything on one day of success is foolhardy.

"The goal is the Tour. The Olympics are one day of competition: you can't channel your entire season towards one single day. If you fail, it's a disaster", the 2008 Olympic champion stated bluntly.

"I stepped onto the podium on the Champs-Elysées as the winner of the climber's jersey this season. That was quite something. For any cyclist, the Tour is everything. At the Olympics you're wearing the jersey of your country, so the two really are the best you get."

Looking forward to the big day in London this summer, Samu was mindful of the threat posed by one British cyclist in particular - and not the one you may think.

"You have to be aware of the final laps. At the pre-Olympics earlier this year, they didn't go the whole distance. If it turns out too hard, Cavendish will be out of the running. But I do expect Bradley Wiggins to be one of the main favourites", he explained.

Talking of the Tour, the Asturian says he would happily sign up for a repeat performance of 2011. But the overall win is not an option - a fellow countryman has got the GC sewn up already.

"It was a good Tour: we were on the final podium, we won a stage. I'd definitely take a repeat of 2011. I lost the possibility to finish on the podium on the Galibier this year, but hopefully next year I'll be able to avoid a jour sans. I'll fight for the top three. But the victory is already reserved for Contador, who already has some experience in that department", he said, half-jokingly.

Contrary to previous reports, it seems the Euskaltel captain will kick-start his 2012 campaign at the Vuelta a Andalucía, not the Mallorca Challenge, in late February.

"Fabulous news"

Fundación Euskadi president and returning general manager at Euskaltel, Miguel Madariaga, was a relieved man upon hearing of the team's main sponsor's intent of renewing their sponsorship beyond 2012. Talking to www.biciciclismo.com, the founding father of the team expressed his delight.

"(Euskaltel president) Alberto García Erauzkin' comments are fabulous news for Basque cycling and all Basque cyclists. It was a public acknowledgement of the fact that the Fundación, which is responsible for the team and it's licence, has been important for Euskaltel. I'm obviously pleased with that".

As he's spoken of in the past though, he reiterated that the team might be wholly owned by the sponsor in the future.

"(To keep the team going) they need to invest heavily, and we (the Fundación) can't do that. The Fundación Euskadi might not be a part of the team. As Euskaltel's president said: they'll aim to adapt to the demands of the WorldTour. The foundation can't do the same. We'll continue our work at grassroots level - it's important and it's where we're headed."

Martín relishing new challenge

As Iban Mayo Blog revealed back in October, released Orbea rider Noel Martín will form part of what is arguably one of Spain's top amateur teams, Supermercados-Froiz, in 2012. Yet despite taking what seems like a step back, the native of Álava is chomping at the bit to get started with his new outfit. And he admits turning down offers from outside of his home country in order to join the red and whites.

"To be honest, this (Supermercados-Froiz) was the best option I had", he writes on his own website. "I received a couple of offers from outside of Spain, but they left me with a lot of questions. They were attractive, but not convincing, so I decided to stay here and focus everything on the two wheels. Supermercados-Froiz is the best amateur team out there - they've got some great riders, and some really experienced ones too (like José Antonio de Segovia, Angel Vallejo, Moisés Dueñas...). I know most of the guys, especially the first two as they're Ávilan too, so I'm sure I'll enjoy it there and that we'll cooperate well together".

Martín will aim to perform strongly in the Spanish Cup races, but admits he'll compete in another discipline as well.

"I'm training on the track twice a week at the moment, just to ease back into it. I'll up the intensity in January with a few to the first competition later that month and in mid-February. My goal is to be selected for the national team for the Worlds or the European champs. But if I am to achieve that, I'll have to work hard. I'm not getting ahead of myself!".

Despite admitting being let go by Orbea was a tough pill to swallow, the 22-year-old is intent on earning a new chance to ride with the pros:

"I hope to rediscover the confidence I lost during my two-year spell at the professional level. I want another shot at it! It'll be difficult, but I'll do my utmost to get back there!"