"It's hard to race when you don't get paid"

As previously reported, French-Basque Damien Branaa will return to the amateur ranks in 2013 after an unsuccessful year-long stint at 2012 Burgos BH - Castilla y León. The 26-year-old will team up with released Euskaltel rider and best friend Pierre Cazaux at French outfit Blagnac next season, and says money problems put paid to his professional adventure in Spain.

"It's been a very hard year for me, as I haven't received my pay every month", he told Gara. "It was tough for me and my wife to pay for the house, the car and everything else you need to live every month. I haven't been able to focus 100 per cent on the bike because of this, and as a result I didn't perform as I would have liked to. It was a very hard year, and therefore I prefer to continue as an amateur with Blagnac, who are also professional".

Looking towards the future, he's not overly optimistic of returning to the pro scene.

"There are many riders who want to turn pro, and in France the Veranda Rideau won't continue, Roubaix is downgrading from 12 to 10 riders, and other teams do the same... It's very difficult with the points system and the teams' lack of money".

Photo: BH Bikes

Track Roundup: Elorriaga storms to omnium lead in Glasgow

Unai Elorriaga Zubiaur took the lead in the omnium on the first day of the UCI Track World Cup in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. The 32-year-old from Barakaldo, Vizcaya rode superb points and elimination races, taking 2nd and 1st place respectively, to secure a 4 point lead on 2nd place Lucas Liß of Germany.

The morning session started the action with the flying lap and the points race. The flying lap, an individual 3.5 lap race where only the last lap being timed, started off the proceedings with Elorriaga placing 7th, a bit over 3 tenths of a second off of Liß. The 2nd race of the morning session, the points race, proved to be fruitful for Elorriaga with the Basque rider scoring a massive 103 points to come 2nd behind Volodymyr Kogut of Ukraine.

The evening session only had one event for the men's omnium in the elimination race. With the object of the race being not to be caught at the back on the sprint laps, the pace fluctuated from relaxed to frantic throughout the event. Elorriaga used great tactics and easily made the final selection where he was able to overhaul a tired omnium world champion Glenn O'Shea in the final sprint for the win. Saturday will contain three more events in the individual pursuit, the scratch race and kilometer time trial.

In other news from Glasgow Basque riders Illart Zuazubiskar (Orbea) and Asier Maetzu composed half of the Spanish team pursuit squad that rode to 4th place, being beaten in the bronze medal final by Belgium.

Photo: Tiffany Hore

Galdeano "sure" fans will stay loyal

Despite a sizeable contingent of the team's followers letting their frustration known at the direction the team is taking, head chief Igor González de Galdeano is not too worried. Having taken some well-deserved time off after finalizing the team's paperwork for the UCI, the ex-pro told Marca he's sure the Pyrenees in July will be just as orange-clad as ever in the coming years.

"I'm sure our supporters will continue to root for us", he said. "After all, this team remains centred on Basque riders, and they're our greatest asset.

"We feel good. We're preparing for the new season - which is just around the corner. We hope and desire to do things well. We've had to do a different job compared to what we're used to, but it seems to be worth it. We've taken the necessary step in modern cycling."

As the head of the team, Galdeano would naturally have been pleased at the news the team came in 15th at the UCI's list - and thus highly likely to receive a WorldTour licence. He's never been one to get carried away, though, and insists they aren't just there yet.

"We've only passed the first filter at this point", he said. "We still have to wait for the Licence Commission's decision; they have the final say. But there shouldn't be any problems", he said.

Finally, he confirmed what's been said earlier, that the team will expand its calendar into new countries and disciplines in 2013, saying "now we've got cyclists to take on races in France and Belgium, and we'll also have a bigger presence in the Classics", adding: "I think we'll do well".

Photo: Deia

Fundación Euskadi loses out on millions

In the wake of the financial crisis still troubling all sectors of the Spanish economy, the County Council of Vizcaya has decided to cut back on its support of the Fundación Ciclista Euskadi.

According to BiciCiclismo, Miguel Madariaga's organisation will lose out on 1,2 million euro in 2013. Athletic Club and Bilbao Basket will also receive considerably less than they have in the past, 2,5 and 1,9 respectively. How this is going to affect the running of the Fundación, if it even will, is not known.

In other Fundación-related news, www.lne.es reports than Iván Cortina has signed a deal with Naturgas Energía for 2014. Cortina, the reigning national champion in the juveniles category, hails from Gijón, and will stay with his current team, Las Mestas, for another year.

Ibai Salas: best regional cyclist

Ibai Salas has continued where he left off in the 2012 season by winning in the off-season: The 21-year-old has won the prestigious local award of "Best amateur rider in Vizcaya" for 2012.

The Caja Rural prodigy received the honour off the back of a stunning campaign, including a Copa de España win, the overall of the Tres Días de Álava and a ride at the Tour de l'Avenir, BiciCiclismo reports. He was chosen as the recipient of the award by a who's who of Basque cycling experts: BiciCiclismo duo Unai Iraragorri and Carlos González Llinares, Javi Bodegas of Urtekaria, Patxo Gangoiti of Sociedad Ciclista Valentín  Uriona in Mungia, and Jesús Mari Agirre, one of the organizers of the prize and the event.

As winner of the prize, Salas follows in the wheel tracks of the likes of former Euskaltel riders Amets Txurruka, Beñat Intxausti, Jonathan Castroviejo and Lander Euba, former Orbea riders Ibon Lavín and Omar Fraile, erstwhile Cafés Baqué rider Fran Gutiérrez, Mikel Elgezabal, formerly of Costa de Almería-Paternina, ex-Caja Rural Mikel Filgueira, and of course current Euskaltel stars Peio Bilbao and Igor Antón.

Ibai Salas will embark on his second year with the green team next year, his fourth in the amateur category.

Photo: Team Caja Rural

Basque pros flock to Memorial Isabel Clavero

A sizeable bunch of local pros will head to Madrid and the traditional off-season race Memorial Isabel Clavero next week.

The 21st staging of the race will as usual take place in Las Rozas de Madrid, and will this year pay tribute to the late Juan Carlos Vicario and José Manuel Fernández. The former, an ex-pro with such big-name teams as Vitalicio Seguros and Festina, and the latter, head of equipment producer Spiuk, both succumbed to cancer this year.

According to BiciCiclismo, new Euskaltel signing Juan José Lobato, new Caja Rural duo Amets Txurruka and Iván Velasco, former Euskaltel stalwart Aitor Galdós (pictured above, who's still without a team for next year), as well as Luis Ángel Maté, Carlos Verona, Antonio Piedra and José Luis Cano, will line up.

Antón stands up for cycling

Saying cycling is in a state of crisis is putting it mildly - saying that the Spanish peloton's reputation is taking a dive in the aftermath of it is stating the obvious. Samuel Sánchez, Alejandro Valverde, Alberto Contador and Miguel Induráin speaking up for the beleaguered Lance Armstrong has only served to confirm the notion that the Spaniards are at the very rear end of the fight against doping, but Euskaltel's Igor Antón was keen to defend his sport when talking to Grada 360 on Monday.

"In cycling, as in every sport or walk of life, there will be people who take short-cuts", he said. "At all levels, both on an athletic one as well as a social one,  people need to realize this is not the way to go. In cycling there are systems like ADAMS and the biological passport in place, systems aiming to avoid the fraud that damages the image of the whole peloton. We're at the very forefront of the anti-doping fight, and the commitment towards a doping free sport is total".

Speaking on the Lance case, the 29-year-old merely said "it's had a big impact" and that he hopes it will "help improve the image of the sport once and for all". He was not asked directly whether he thought the disgraced Texan was guilty or not, hence the somewhat vague answer, but the wait for a Basque, never mind a Spaniard, to come out against Lance goes on.

Irizar 100% healed

RadioShack-Nissan-Trek rider Markel Irizar on Monday got the confirmation that the testicular cancer contracted ten years ago now well and truly belongs to the past.

The 32-year-old erstwhile Euskaltel rider was diagnosed with the disease while riding as an amateur in 2002, and famously went on to receive a letter of encouragement from fellow cancer victim Lance Armstrong while undergoing treatment. For the next ten years, the time trial specialist underwent treatment and controls to keep an eye on it, but those days are now behind him.

"Last oncology revision", he said, according to BiciCiclismo. "After ten years I've been discharged and I'm over it. A great day!"

Irizar spent six years in orange before joining his current team ahead of the 2010 season, with which the Oñati-born rider has a contract in place for 2013.

Hernández continues hot streak with Superprestigio Elorrio win

Aitor Hernández (Orbea-Ermua), who had a big upset win last Saturday at the Superprestigio Llodio, continued his streak of success with another win today at the Superprestigio Elorrio over the usually dominate Egoitz Murgoitio (Hirumet Taldea). While not being able to contend for the win today, Murgoitio still holds the lead in the Spanish Superprestigio rankings by 4 points over Hernández, 90 to 86, while Isaac Suarez (BioRacer) is in a distant 3rd with 59. There are still two races to run on the Superprestigio calendar at Itsansondo and Puente Viesgo, both in December.

On a rainy and muddy course, Murgoitio and Hernández showed themselves to be a class above the rest and quickly breaking away from the pack, with the former taking the lead for the first couple laps. On the third lap, Murgoitio suffered his first puncture and allowed the former road rider Hernández to take the lead. Despite this, the gap remained close until another puncture on the last lap dealt the hammer blow to Murgoitio, who then had to concentrate on keeping his 2nd place on a charging Isaac Suarez, who managed 3rd place. In 4th place was Cantabrian rider Constantino Zaballa, who will be making his return to the pro road peloton with Christina Watches next season, while Egoitz Murgoitio's teammate, Jonathan Lastra, had a great ride for 5th and 1st U23.

Murgoitio said to BiciCiclismo that he is "missing a spark to be at (his) best" and that he "won't make any excuses" for his performance as Hernández was riding better and deserved the win. Murgoitio will be riding the French Cup race in Besançon next week and hopes to be going better.

Results Elorrioko Udalda Saria Ziklo-Krosa (full results here):

1. Aitor Hernández (Ermua-Orbea), 54:52
2. Egoitz Murgoitio (Hirumet-Taldea), 0:39
3. Isaac Suárez (BioRacer-Caravanas Erandio), 0:47
4. Constantino Zaballa (Zugor-Bikes), 1:06
5. Jonathan Lastra (Hirumet-Taldea), 1:40 - Winner sub-23
6. Erlantz Uriarte (Ibaigane Opel), 2:06
7. José Antonio Díez Arriola (Bikezona.com), 2:44
8. Josep Betalú (GSport-Valencia Terra i Mar), 2:52
9. Mauro González (TB Transportes), 2:56
10. Jon Gómez (BioRacer-Caravanas Erandio), 2:59

Felipe Orts ousted Alex Aranburu and Eneko Corrales among the juniors, while Jon Gil once again came out tops in the cadete category. Roció Gamonal easily dispatched of Olatz Odriozola to claim yet another triumph in the elite women's race, while Alicia González did the same and extended her winning run by winning in the junior category. Desiree Duarte was crowned cadete champ. 

Photo: Iñaki Azanza

Hernandez scoops up another win

Aitor Hernández (Ermua-Orbea) continued his hot streak from last week and picked up his fourth win of the year today at the I Premio Ziklo Cross Arbulu in Arbulo. Absent from the race today were heavyweights Egoitz Murgoitio, who is resting for the Spanish Superprestige race in Elorrio tomorrow, and Javier Ruiz de Larrinaga, who was forced to rest this weekend after a crash last weekend, which made it easier for former Euskaltel rider Hernández to flex his muscle on the elite men's race.

Hernández was able to go solo after racing with Erlantz Uriarte (Garaje Paco) and Isaac Suarez (BioRacer - Caravanas Erandio) and took the win by 17 seconds over the duo.

The top 10 is as follows:

• 1. Aitor Hernández (Ermua Orbea) 1:03:01
• 2. Erlantz Uriarte (Garaje Paco) 0:17
• 3. Isaac Suárez (BioRacer – Caravanas Erandio) s.t. 
• 4. José Antonio Díez Arriola (Bikezona - Bilbao CDC) 2:24
• 5. Iñigo Gómez (BioRacer - Caravanas Erandio) 3:07 - Winner sub-23
• 6. Zigor Urain (CDR Bicicletas) 3:33
• 7. Óscar Pujol (Francisco Mancebo C.D) 3:39
• 8. Ramón Sagues (Conor Saltoki Berriainz) 4:19
• 9. Jon Gómez (BioRacer - Caravanas Erandio) 5:46
• 10. Antonio Suárez (La Paz Club Ciclista) 6:00

The big race of the weekend, as mentioned earlier, will be happening tomorrow at the Superprestige Elorrio. Egoitz Murgoitio will be the favorite for the win but after being upset by Hernández last week at the Superprestige Llodio, it should be a good battle for the win between the two.

Photo: eldesmarquebizkaia

Zubeldia surpasses Indurain

Haimar Zubeldia yesterday received the proof he was this year's best Basque at the Tour de France - for a record sixth time.

The RadioShack rider placed a noteworthy sixth at this year's edition of the Grand Boucle, and as such was easily his home country's top GC representative. It was the Euskaltel legend's sixth time picking up the prize handed out by the Urkamendi de Zizurkil, pushing ahead of Miguel Indurain and Marino Lejarreta with five each, writes El Correo.

Despite his team's troubled past and current state, the 35-year-old is expected to see out his contract with the team.

Photo: RadioShack

Cazaux downgrades for 2013

Having not gotten his contract renewed with Euskaltel at the end of the 2012 season in sorry circumstances, Pierre Cazaux has been forced to step down to the amateur level for the upcoming season.

The Frenchman, who spent two largely uneventful years at the orange team after signing from Francaise des Jeux in the winter of 2010, has put pen to paper on a deal with amateur outfit GSC Blagnac, according to DirectVelo, reports BiciCiclismo. He'll be joined at the team by former Entente Sud Gascogne team-mate, 2012 Burgos BH - Castilla y León pro and neighbour and training partner Damien Branaa at a Blagnac team featuring the likes of Julien Loubet and Arnaud Labbe.

The 28-year-old completed the Giro d'Italia and donned the orange jersey more than 60 times this year, his best result being 15th overall at the Tour of Britain.

Gorka Izagirre honoured

Euskaltel stalwart Gorka Izagirre will on Saturday the 10th of November be awarded the proof that he was Spain's best one-day racer in 2012 on domestic roads.

The slightly odd prize, awarded to the rider who performed the best in Spain's eight one-day races (Trofeo Migjorn, Trofeo Deiá, Clásica de Almería, GP Miguel Indurain, Clásica Primavera de Amorebieta, Vuelta Ciclista a la Rioja, Klasika Ordizia and the Circuito de Getxo) over the course of the year, will be handed over to the 25-year-old by the cycling clubs of Sirgas Románicas and Montaña Palentina in Cervera de Pisuerga, Castilla y León, tomorrow.

The Ormaiztegi-born allrounder ended up tied on points with Katusha's Dani Moreno in the unofficial Copa España rankings, but will be declared the winner as he lined up in four races to Moreno's two, a press release reads. Izagirre's triumph in Ordizia (pictured above), was his one and only triumph of a year that saw him make a name for himself at the Tour de France with an effervescent performance.

Photo: Iñaki Azanza

De la Parte offered new pro deal

Basque SP Tableware pro Víctor de la Parte has been offered a new deal by the Greek team, El Correo reports.

The 26-year-old from Vitoria returned to the professional ranks in June, having ridden as an amateur for the first part of the season after leaving Caja Rural. De la Parte has enjoyed instant success with Ioannis Tamouridis now-former team, taking out a stage in the Romanian Cycling Tour en route to second overall, as well as a stage and the overall of the Sibiu Cycling Tour this year. In addition, he posted a strong fifth at the recent Tour of Hainan, as well as claiming seventh in the Spanish national championships.

Speaking to the Bilbao-based daily, he said he'd received an offer from the team management to stay on with the outfit, but that he wanted to "take a few days to explore other possible offers".

While his first year at Tableware has been a success, the end to the season wasn't the one he wanted. He crashed on then opening stage of the Tour of Taihu Lake, breaking his scaphoid in his right hand. The injury is not thought to compromise his 2013 preparations markedly, but does rule him out of the cyclo-cross race in Arbulo this weekend he'd intended to take part in.

Photo: El Pedal de Frodo