Lastra grabs Spanish U23 CX Crown

(l-r, Kevin Suárez, Jonathan Lastra, Iñigo Gomez)

Jonathan Lastra (Hirumet-Taldea) rode to victory in the U23 race at the Spanish Cyclocross Championships in Navia, Asturias, holding off Kevin Suárez and fellow Basque Iñigo Gomez. Jon Ander Insausti bounced back from a poor start and tried to catch Gomez on the muddy course but had to settle for 4th in the end.

Lastra was able to dominate the race by wearing down his competition on a muddy and slick course and then riding within himself to victory. Suárez and Iñigo Gomez started the race off with attacks but both eventually fell off the pace set by Lastra. Defending champion Suárez settled into a steady pace, eventually dropping the flagging Gomez, and was riding similar laps to Lastra, albeit 20 seconds down on the Baque rider. Gomez stated post-race that he didn't want to blow up trying to stay with Suárez and concentrated on keeping 3rd place from fellow Basque Jon Ander Insausti, who rode some of his fastest laps at the end of the race.

Euskadi ended up taking 5 places out of the top 10 in the U23 race with Iñigo Gomez' brother Ion riding to 7th place while Peio Goikoetxea finished in 9th place. Lastra capped off an impressive domestic season by sweeping the U23 championships for Spain and Euskadi and the U23 overall Superprestigio crown.

Results

1. Jonathan Lastra
2. Kevin Suárez +27"
3. Iñigo Gomez +1'09"
4. Jon Ander Insausti +1'15"
5. Paulo González +1'18"
6. José Manuel Ribera +1'31"
7. Ion Gomez +1'50"
8. Abel Garcia +1'57"
9. Peio Goikoetxea +2'30"
10. Marcos Altur +3'14"

Photo via @Dorsal51

Sánchez - The Vuelta route draws my attention

With 11 summit finishes spread over three weeks of intense riding, it would be something of a surprise if an Euskaltel rider and Grand Tour specialist was not enticed by the Vuelta a España recorrido presented today in Vigo, Galicia. 'Samu' is of course set to channel his energy on the Giro this spring, but has left his options open for a participation in his team's home three-week race if he isn't feeling up to tackling the might of the Tour in July - just a few weeks after the Giro comes to a close.

A decision on whether or not he'll line up in Spain is therefore quite a few months away, but it appears the route itself won't be the reason if he opts against taking to the start.

"The route draws my attention", he told Teledeporte.

The route is as mentioned heavy on climbing, and the climbers are likely to figure right from the very first day.

"There will be differences created in the first few days", he said. "Team time trials usually takes in 15-20 clicks, but this one is 30 kilometres long. And the first stage doesn't just include a tough ending, it's got a first category climb. Maybe there are not as many explosive climbs as last year, but, in general, it's for sure more climbing."

The recent Vuelta routes have, much like it's Italian equivalent, been accused of being too hard. Sánchez wasn't keen to voice his opinion, at least not straightforwardly, preferring to say "the debate over the route is over when you look at the number of spectators. We are paid to race against each other. I think it's good".

Team head Igor González de Galdeano, who'll team up with his riders at their training camp at the Costa Blanca later today, was rather more direct, though, saying the organizers are taking a big gamble.

"They're taking a risk with so much climbing, so we'll just have to hope it turns out as well as it did this year", he said. "It could be decided too soon though, and that could really block the race. It's a big gamble".

The 34-year-old has yet to decide where and when to start his season, but it's likely to be either at the Vuelta a Andalucía in February or at Tirreno-Adriatico in March. 

Photo: Podium Café

Larrinaga hit by car - escapes injury

Current Orbea rider and former Naturgas Energía stalwart Jon Larrinaga was hit by a car while out training on Friday, but did not sustain any serious injuries.

So reports the Fundación Euskadi's web page this morning. The 22-year-old was about to embark on a training ride in his home town of Amurrio, Álava, when a parked car, allegedly not seeing the rider, suddenly backed into him. Larrinaga took a hard hit to the elbow, but escaped relatively unscathed.

The accident comes hot on the heels of the deaths of Víctor Cabedo, Iñaki Lejarreta and Burry Stander, and the foundation duly took the opportunity to ask drivers to respect cyclists to avoid similar fates to those mentioned above.

Larrinaga is about to commence his first season in the professional ranks with the foundation's Continental team (formerly Orbea; the team's new name is yet to be decided upon) after numerous solid, yet winless, seasons with the foundation's sub-23 outfit.

This sub-23 outfit, which will remain Naturgas Energía in 2013, will start their season in France on February the ninth, and will today, Saturday, gather for a 120km-team training ride in the area around the Basque Country's capital, Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Photo: Pascal Baudron

Euskaltel to rev it up at camp

While a septet of orange-clad riders will be heading for Australia and the Tour Down Under, the rest of the team will be gathering in Villajoyosa, Alicante, to gear up for the season ahead.

Riders and staff will arrive at the Costa Blanca today, Friday, and will stay in the small coastal town for ten days, the team's website today reports. Team captain Samuel Sánchez and General Manager Igor González de Galdeano will team up with the rest of the squad tomorrow afternoon after attending the Vuelta a España presentation in Vigo, Galicia.

Those racing in Australia will be Juan José Oroz, Ion and Gorka Izagirre, Jon Aberasturi, Garikoitz Bravo, Juan José Lobato and Mikel Astarloza.

To get a glimpse of what an Euskaltel team training session is like, check out the video of a training ride on local roads below:

The GP Llodio is off - again

The 1.1-ranked Gran Premio de Llodio will not go ahead this year due to budgetary shortcomings, Efe reports.

2013 will thus mark the second season in succession that the race is cancelled, as money turned out to be too hard to come by in 2012 as well. According to the Sociedad Ciclista Llodiana, the local cycling club and organizer, they weren't able to come up with the 700 000 euros needed to put on the race.

The GP Llodio has the last few years been the only professional bike race to be staged in the Basque Country's southernmost region, Álava, once the home of many greats of Spanish cycling and current home of the Fundación Euskadi's sub-23 team, Naturgas Energía.

The organizers still intend, though, to put on some sort of race, but it will be of considerably lower ranking.

The race was last won by the disgraced Santiago Pérez in 2011. Euskaltel rider Samuel Sánchez took out the win two years prior - check out the short video below to relive the action:

Emakumeen Bira requests date change

The prestigious Emakumeen Bira women's stage race (UCI 2.1) has requested a shift in dates from June 6th thru the 9th to May 23rd thru the 26th so as to not conflict with the US Exergy Tour (2.HC), which is scheduled to run from June 5th thru the 9th. The organizers of the Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria  (1.2) one-day race are also requesting a date shift to May 21st. Both race organizations are complaining, according to Biciciclismo, that their is "a lack of sensitivity" coming from the UCI given the precious lack of Spanish races on the women's circuit. The Emakumeen Bira celebrated its 25th anniversary last year and its list of winners is like reading through a hall of fame of women racers.

The UCI unveiled a new HC ranking this year for the women's road circuit, which gives precedence to certain stage races on the calendar. According to Biciciclismo, the race organizers of the Bira received a provisional 2013 calendar in May of last year, showing an early June date and no conflicts with major races on the schedule. The organizers were shocked to find out in October that the UCI placed the Exergy Tour during the same dates as their race and with a .HC ranking, giving it higher precedence over the Bira and bringing in all of the top female riders. As to avoid a catastrophic collapse of the race, the organizers have requested the date shift with the UCI though their anger with the governing body is palpable.

Photo: Deia/David de Haro

Chaoufi gets his jersey

New Euskalel Euskadi signing Tarik Chaoufi was today presented with his specially-designed Maroccan national champion-jersey at the team's presentation in Zamudio, Bizkaia, on Wednesday.

Incredibly, an Euskaltel rider has never worn a national champion's jersey, meaning the 26-year-old has already made history.

Photo: BiciCiclismo

Euskaltel anno 2013 is here

The Euskaltel Euskadi roster for the fast-approaching season was presented to the public today, and General Manager Igor González de Galdeano took time out to reveal the Tour de France is not the team's main goal

Neither is the Vuelta al País Vasco. Instead, the team's overriding goal will be to keep their place in the WorldTour - something they'll do, of course, with the help of the bunch of foreign riders brought in over the winter. All riders were present, as were staff, local cycling clubs, representatives for equipment providers and a select few local politicians.

As expected, rather than talking about the racing itself, Euskaltel president Alberto García Erauzkin spent most of the time insisting the team is still very much Basque to the core, despite the team's much-debated abandonment of the Basque-only philosophy.

"This team is unique, what with a sports project that represents a country and values like effort, sacrifice, compromise, team spirit and humility", García Erauzkin said. "It's a team for everyone. It's a team for the Basque cantera, so that as many Basque cyclists as possible can ride at the WorldTour level.

"We represent a people, a way of doing and thinking about things, values that we're proud of, and we have a unique fan base. There's no team like this; we can promote the name of our country all over the world".

Further, Galdeano went on to confirm Samuel Sánchez will make the Giro d'Italia his primary goal, while also stating that both Mikel Nieve and Igor Antón will be present at the Tour de France. There was also time to pay homage to fallen riders Víctor Cabedo and Iñaki Lejarreta.

Photos of the new riders wearing their Euskaltel jerseys can be found here.

Watch a short video of the act here:


Photo: Orbea

Sánchez to skip Paris-Nice for Tirreno

To arrive at the Giro d'Italia in top shape, Euskaltel captain Samuel Sánchez will make considerable changes to his traditional early-season calendar this year.

For starters, there'll be no Paris-Nice. Instead, according to BiciCiclismo, 'Samu' will make his first appearance at the "Race of the Two Seas", Tirreno-Adriatico. The Tirreno (6-12 of March) might even be his first race of 2013, unless he decides to test his legs at the Vuelta a Andalucía a few weeks prior.

As reported earlier, the 34-year-old will not forego "his race", the Vuelta al País Vasco, despite aiming to be in top shape a month later in Italy. He'll of course done the number one-bib at the team's home race, and will go on to do the Amstel Gold and/or Liège-Bastogne-Liège afterwards.

Again, as reported earlier, he'll then decide after the Giro whether he'll line up at the Tour or the Vuelta later in the year.

Hernández nabs national champs tune-up

Aitor Hernández showed he'll be the man to beat in next weekend's national championships by taking out his 16th win of a sensational campaign over the exact same course that will be tackled in a week's time in Sunday's race in Navia, Asturias.

Hernández once again proved too fast for Javier Ruiz de Larrinaga in the dash for the line - relegating the MMR-Spiuk rider to the second step on the podium for the fourth consecutive time. Larrinaga attacked the seemingly invincible Orbea rider on the last lap, but couldn't pull off the win. Reigning national champ Isaac Suárez grabbed third.

"It was a spectacular circuit, very intense", Hernández told the Spanish Cycling Federation's website post-race. "I'm very happy with how I felt today".

Results:

1. Aitor Hernández (Ermua-Orbea)
2. Javier Ruiz de Larrinaga (MMR-Spiuk)
3. Isaac Suárez (Bio Racer - Caravanas Erandio)
4. Erlantz Uriarte (Ibaigane Opel)
5. Mauro González (Salvaterra de Miño)

Among the women, local riders Roció Gamonal, Aida Nuño and Lucía González finished on the podium in that order, while Eneko Corrales and Alicia González won their respective junior categories.

Photo: Iñaki Azanza

Galdeano - He wasn't at his normal level

Mikel Astarloza will for obvious reasons always divide opinion among Euskaltel fans. Equally obvious is the fact that the 33-year-old was a valuable and integral part of the team prior to his suspension, but he's failed spectacularly to hit those pre-ban heights after he returned to competition towards the back end of the 2011 season.

2012 was in many respects a year to forget for the former Ag2r rider; his top placing was 16th overall at the Vuelta a Andalucía, he crashed out of the Tour de France, and his skills against the clock and in shorter stage races seemed to have abandoned him. Still, though, he's been handed a dream 2013 racing calendar, a schedule taking in a number of the biggest races, including, as ever, the three-week stage race that takes place mid-summer on the roads of France. Team head Igor González de Galdeano clearly retains faith in the San Sebastián-native, and told El Diario Vasco he remains hopeful Astarloza can rediscover the form of old.

"He's a veteran rider with experience, a very important rider at this team", he said. "I hope he'll return to the level of form he had prior to the years he didn't race. 2012 was below this level. He's a team rider who we rate. I expect him to shine results-wise and, as far as it's possible, to return to the rider he was. In any case, his experience, regardless of his results, is very important for us".

Galdeano confirmed Astarloza is once again highly likely to be among the chosen nine for the Grand Boucle, and says it's not for nothing he's been handed a comparatively heavy racing schedule.

"He'll have a similar calendar to the one he had in 2012. He'll start Down Under, and will then go on to the Challenge Mallorca, Paris-Nice and Volta a Catalunya. As well he's among the riders who could be picked for the Vuelta al País Vasco. As far as Grand Tours go, he's likely to do the Tour.

"He needs a lot of races and kilometres to get into shape, and because of this we've handed him a packed calendar", he revealed. "As you get older it costs more to get into shape, but he's very much a valuable rider to us".

To relive Astarloza's perhaps finest moment of 2012, watch the short video below of stage 12 of the Vuelta a España:

Hernández - I've got a family to support

Despite having taken 15 wins already this year and being arguably Spain's top cyclo-cross rider, Aitor Hernández is far from happy. The 30-year-old is finding it hard to make a living of riding his bike despite his numerous successes, and warns he might have to do something completely different next year.

"I have no sponsor that makes it possible to live off this next year", he told El Diario Vasco. "I'm just about able to cover the costs this season. Orbea provides me with equipment, and that's important, but I'm 30, I've got a one-and-a-half-year-old son and a family to feed. I can't continue like this for another year".

Despite dominating the domestic scene, the former Euskaltel rider has yet to ride internationally this season - in stark contrast to his countrymen Murgoitio, Lastra, Larrinaga, Suárez et al. It's not for the lack of wanting, though, saying the money to do it simply isn't there.

"Of course I would like to ride some World Cup races, more than anything to see how far I can go and whether I can crack the top 15. You're left wondering exactly how well you would be able to do, what kind of rhythm you'd be able to sustain. I'd really like to give it a try."

To keep paying the bills, the Ermua-born former Tour de France rider reveals he's keeping himself busy in the afternoons.

"I do massage consultations, and if someone calls me and wants me to give a massage at 11 in the morning, I adapt my training. I also have to take care of my son. I can't spend all day training and then relax in the afternoon. I've got other obligations", he said, adding he's also taken a chiropractor course and is responsible for some fellow riders' training and preparation programs.

The recently-crowned champion of Euskadi and the Supreprestigio series doesn't plan on doing any World Cups for the remainder of the season due to a lack of sponsors and therefore money, but harbours hope of attracting backers for the 2013-2014 season.

"Looking ahead to next year, I hope some of the companies that declined to back me this year might change their mind based on the results I've obtained this season and that I therefore have a clearer idea (of what I can count on) in May. That way I won't have a lot of uncertainties coming into August and September", he told the Spanish Cycling Federation's website. "Obviously I want to keep riding - but without having to pay for it".

Photo: Iñaki Azanza

Durán confirms Efapel signing

Arkaitz Durán has finally found a home for the coming season, and, entirely as expected, he'll wear the colours of Portuguese Continental outfit Efapel in 2013.

Ever since completing a sensational 2012 season in the amateur ranks with Azysa-Telco'm-Conor, Durán's future has been the subject of much speculation. Initial reports had it he'd signed with Eusebio Unzúe's Movistar team, but those reports turned out to be unfounded.

Then, after reportedly being rejected by both Euskaltel and Caja Rural, it was announced he'd inked a deal with Efapel in late November - which he then went on to deny a pair of days later. Three years into the new year though, and everything appears to be set in stone.

"Everything's gone well, and I've reached the goal I've had since the start of last season", he told El Correo, referring to rejoining the professional ranks. "I had several options, including a team that could go ahead as a WorldTour team, but eventually I signed for Efapel".

The native of Vitoria, the Basque capital, will start off his season at next month's Trofeo de Apertura, before going on to the Volta ao Algarve (13-17 of February). The 26-year-old relishes the calendar of races presented to him by Portugal's biggest team, and is aiming to prove his worth both in the team's homeland as well as his own.

"In terms of participation in races, this is the best Portuguese team", he said. "I aim to reach Algarve in good shape as it's an important goal, but I won't forget the Volta ao Portugal in August. We may also line up in the Vuelta a Asturias, Castilla y León and Gran Premio Amorebieta. It'll be important to perform well in those races, as I hope to take a further step up the ladder in 2014".

Interestingly, but perhaps not surprisingly, the rider once hailed as the next big thing claims he's now better than ever despite missing out on a full calendar year of professional racing.

"I went seven years without knowing what it was like to win a bike race", he said, referring to his long, and winless, professional career. "I had lost that winner's instinct, but I've now rediscovered it through my 2012 triumphs. I'm now stronger than before".

Photo: Noticias de Navarra

Samuel Sánchez chooses Italy

Eight years after his only previous participation, Euskaltel Euskadi captain Samuel Sánchez is ready to return to the Giro d'Italia.

The Corsa Rosa has been mooted as a potential season goal for the 34-year-old for the best part of the off-season, and it now appears it is set in stone Sánchez will indeed again take to the roads of Italy in May. Igor González de Galdeano, who himself never lined up at the race, confirmed a decision has been taken.

"This year's Giro route could suit him", he told El Correo. "To help him stay at the front and with options, we'll field foreigners with an eye on doing a good team time trial.

"Samuel is 34 and, though he's still got many competitive seasons ahead of him and the Tour has always been our big goal, I think it's time we offer him a calendar that motivates him".

For those who hope to see Samu light up the roads across the border in France in July though, all hope might not be lost.

"We'll make a decision after the Giro whether he's in good enough shape to do the Tour afterwards", Galdeano said.

If 'Samu' does indeed make it to the Tour, he might join a star-studded line up: Mikel Nieve is already confirmed as team leader, and Igor Antón might also make an appearance.

Photo: Fundación Ciclista Euskadi