Sánchez and Landa come up short in Burgos finale

Euskaltel were left empty-handed at the Vuelta a Burgos as the team's challenge unravelled on the way to Lagunas de Neila.

Hopes were high Mikel Landa and Samuel Sánchez could fight for what would have been an important stage and/or general classification win on the last day of the five-stage event, but the orange duo couldn't muster a reply when the GC favourites upped the tempo five clicks from the summit.

Nairo Quintana danced his way to both the stage and the overall title, while David Arroyo rolled back the years with a courageous display that netted him second. Despite exploding in the final two kilometres, Vincenzo Nibali hung on to fourth on the stage and the last place on the podium.

Landa and 'Samu' were both part of the 17-man elite group that hit the base of the climb together, but first Sánchez, then his younger team-mate, had to ease off as the pace kept increasing. Landa eventually crossed the line in eighth place, which was good enough for sixth overall, while Sánchez came home 11th, meaning he ended up eighth on GC.

With 13 days to go to the start of the Vuelta a España, both Euskaltel riders look to be well on course to play prominent roles in the year's last Grand Tour.

Young Team Euskadi rider Mikel Bizkarra had an outstanding ride, climbing with the best en route to 14th on the race's queen-stage.

Results (Team Euskadi riders in cursive):

• (1, Nairo Quintana (Movistar), 4:26:57)
• 8, Mikel Landa, 1:24
• 11, Samuel Sánchez, 2:00
• 14, Mikel Bizkarra, 3:24
• 38, Gorka Verdugo, 9:27
• 45, Jorge Azanza, 11:55
• 50, Peio Bilbao, s.t.
• 59, Carlos Barbero, 15:16
• 74, Igor Merino, 15:43
• 78, Illart Zuazubiskar, 19:06
• 80, Haritz Orbe, s.t.
• 82, Jon Larrinaga, s.t.
• 83, Aritz Bagües, s.t.
• 84, Ricardo García, s.t.
• DNF: Egoi Martínez, Pablo Urtasun and Unai Iparraguirre

Final general classification:

• (1, Nairo Quintana (Movistar), 19:29:22)
• 6, Mikel Landa, 1:24
• 8, Samuel Sánchez, 1:53
• 31, Mikel Bizkarra, 9:53
• 35, Gorka Verdugo, 11:33
• 42, Jorge Azanza, 14:09
• 46, Carlos Barbero, 15:16
• 60, Peio Bilbao, 18:16
• 65, Haritz Orbe, 20:28
• 80, Igor Merino, 25:08
• 85, Illart Zuazubiskar, 27:37
• 86, Aritz Bagües, 28:17
• 91, Ricardo García, 34:01
• 93, Jon Larrinaga, 34:28

Photo: Vavel

Argentines dominate in Amurrio

The Argentinian national team put the young Basques to the sword in Amurrio, Álava, on Saturday.

The Torneo Euskaldun race, also counting as the regional championships, saw the Argentines double up with the victory of 24-year-old Sebastián José Tolosa, already a stage winner in the Tour of Uruguay this season, and the runner-up spot for Víctor Gabriel Gómez.

The last man on the podium, and the first sub-23 rider across the line, was Seguros Bilbao's Pamplona-born prodigy Sergio Rodríguez. The race, held over 122 clicks, came down to a bunch sprint after numerous break attempts never really managed to establish themselves, and the South Americans had way too much in the tank for the domestic riders.

Cyclo-cross star Javier Ruís de Larrinaga (Lizarte) was crowned elite national champion, while Aitor Rey (Seguros Bilbao) came away with the sub-23 crown. Seguros Bilbao also took out the team win.

Debabarrena's Borja Abásolo continues to head up the overall standings.

Results:

1. Sebastián Tolosa (Argentina), 2:12:48
2. Víctor Gabriel Gómez (Argentina), s.t.
3. Sergio Rodríguez (Seguros Bilbao), s.t. - 1st sub-23
4. Pello Olaberria (Ikolan Lanaldi Ordiziako), s.t.
5. Imanol Díaz (Seguros Bilbao), s.t.
6. Eder Gómez (Ikolan Lanaldi Ordiziako), s.t.
7. Mikel Hernández (Debabarrena), s.t.
8. Jon Iriarte (Gipuzkoa-Eki Sport), s.t.
9. Ángel Lorenzo (Opel Ibaigane), s.t.
10. Loïc Chetout (Naturgas Energía), s.t.

Photo: www.ciclismoxxi.com

Mikel Landa denies Astana transfer

Confusion is surrounding Mikel Landa's future as the rider himself denies reports in the Basque media that he's penned a deal with Astana.

The usually trustworthy newspaper El Diario Vaco reported on Saturday morning that the ace climber, 23, had signed for the Kazakh squad for next season. The report came only days after team manager Giuseppe Martinelli publicly declared his liking for the rider.

At the start line of the fourth stage of the Vuelta a Burgos a few hours later, though, the equally trustworthy website El Pedal de Frodo says Landa knows nothing of a deal being reached.

"What's been published is not true", he said. "I'm still an Euskaltel rider and I've got one year running on my contract. I won't make a decision on my future before the team says it's definitely stopping".

A decision on Euskaltel's future is expected to be taken by Thursday the 15th of August. Until then, we're highly unlikely to see any Euskaltel riders signing for new teams - officially, anyway.

Status quo as Lagunas de Neila looms

In anticipation of Sunday's big decider, the general classification contenders kept their powder dry on Saturday's penultimate stage of the Vuelta a Burgos.

A fairly flat ride from Doña Santos Burpellet to Santo Domingo de Silos was eventually taken out by overall leader Anthony Roux, but only after the man first across the line, Cannondale's Daniele Ratto, was disqualified for his less than gracious maneuver in the final 20 metres.

Check it out below:

Samuel Sánchez kept his overall chances afloat by staying with the first batch of riders, even rising to fifth by the end of the day. Heading into the stage to the top of the mythical Lagunas de Neila, 'Samu' is only ten seconds down on Roux and the best placed of all the expected candidates for the final win. It remains to be seen, though, how he handles such a long and steady climb after approximately two months out of competition.

Once again an Euskaltel rider made it into the main break of the day. Ricardo García broke clear alongside countryman Aritz Bagües of Team Euskadi, Romain Hardy of Cofidis and Burgos BH's Efren Carazo. Even with the late-race reinforcements of Euskadi's Jon Larrinaga and Carazo's team-mate Pablo Torres, the quartet didn't stand a chance and were duly reeled in well in time for the sprint finish.

Results (Team Euskadi riders in cursive):

• (1, Anthony Roux (FDJ.fr), 3:54:59)
• 9, Carlos Barbero, s.t.
• 18, Samuel Sánchez, s.t.
• 22, Pablo Urtasun, s.t.
• 28, Unai Iparraguirre, s.t.
• 37, Mikel Landa, s.t.
• 38, Egoi Martínez, s.t.
• 51, Haritz Orbe, s.t.
• 58, Gorka Verdugo, s.t.
• 73, Illart Zuazubiskar, 0:16
• 82, Mikel Bizkarra, 0:57
• 88, Jorge Azanza, s.t.
• 90, Peio Bilbao, s.t.
• 108, Jon Larrinaga, 5:18
• 112, Aritz Bagües, s.t.
• 113, Igor Merino, s.t.
• 120, Ricardo García, 10:41

Photo: BCPT

Basque duo picked for l'Avenir

Haritz Orbe and Beñat Txoperena will both get the chance to test themselves at the biggest sub-23 bike race on earth later in August.

The Basque duo, along with with Team Euskadi rider Carlos Barbero, Caja Rural's Rubén Fernández, Cafés Baqué-Conservas Campos rider Mario González and Lizarte's Antonio Pedrero, have been picked by national team selector Pascual Momparler for the Tour de l'Avenir, reports the Spanish Cycling Federation.

Orbe has been in impressive shape all year, once again showing his qualities with a dangerous late-race move in the finale of the third stage of the Vuelta a Burgos on Friday. Txoperena on his part celebrated his inclusion in the team by winning the Torneo Lehendakari-race in Muxika.

While Txoperena will get his l'Avenir bow, Orbe was also a participant last year. Back then, the now 21-year-old from Gernika finished top 20 on two stages en route to a low-key 102nd overall.

He's shown his pedigree in some of the biggest races this year, though. In May, he finished second on two stages in the prestigious Ronde de l'Isard, while he also finished runner-up in the Vuelta a la Comunidad de Madrid sub-23 last month.

Photo: Cobbles & Hills

Txoperena solos to glory in Muxika

Beñat Txoperena continued his hot streak this summer by soloing to the win in Muxika, Biscaya, on Friday.

The Torneo Lehendakari-ranked race featured five ascents of the San Román climb, and the Gipuzkoa-Eki Sport rider made his winning move on the last one, according to the Basque Cycling Federation.

The 21-year-old held off nearest chaser Marcos Jurado by four seconds, while Antonio Pedrero came across the line for third.

The win is only the latest in a long line of impressive results this summer for the young Basque. At the end of June he took silver in the sub-23 national road race championships, before going on to take his first win of the season in Mungia. In July, riding for the Spanish national team, he finished a creditable sixth at the sub-23 Vuelta a la Comunidad de Madrid. Next up is a maiden appearance at the Tour de l'Avenir.

Results:

1. Beñat Txoperena (Gipuzkoa-Eki Sport), 3:12:48
2. Marcos Jurado (Seguros Bilbao), 0:04
3. Antonio Pedrero (Lizarte), 0:05
4. Ibai Salas (Caja Rural), s.t.
5. Mario González (Cafés Baqué-Conservas Campos), s.t.

Photo: Club Ciclista Bidon

Sánchez edges closer to Burgos triumph

Samuel Sánchez put in another solid ride in the Vuelta a Burgos on Friday, just missing the podium.

Like on Thursday, there was no beating Orica-GreenEdge's on-fire Jens Keukeleire. Despite the best efforts of fdj.fr and Euskaltel to set up overall leader Anthony Roux and Samuel Sánchez respectively, the Belgian had far too much in the tank for the others to easily grab back-to-back stages.

Sánchez eventually came home fourth on the same time as the victor, rising to sixth on GC in the process. Coming home three seconds further back at the top of the Ojo Guareña climb was big-hitters Rinaldo Nocentini, Nairo Quintana, Vincenzo Nibali and Mikel Landa. Team Euskadi's ever-impressive Carlos Barbero led that group home for eighth, topping off a good day for the Continental-ranked team that also saw Haritz Orbe instigate a late-race move along with the likes of Ivan Basso and Sylvester Szmyd.

Heading into the last two stages, Roux leads the race two seconds ahead of stage one triumphant Simone Ponzi. Sánchez is ten seconds back in sixth place, while Barbero and Landa occupy 14th and 15th, both at 17 seconds.

Pre-race favourites Nairo Quintana and Vincenzo Nibali are in 16th and 20th respectively, 17 and 24 seconds back.

Results (Team Euskadi riders in cursive):

• (1, Jens Keukeleire (Orica-GreenEdge), 4:13:33)
• 4, Samuel Sánchez, s.t.
• 8, Carlos Barbero, 0:03
• 10, Mikel Landa, s.t.
• 52, Jorge Azanza, 0:36
• 56, Haritz Orbe, 0:48
• 63, Aritz Bagües, s.t.
• 68, Egoi Martínez, 0:58
• 88, Gorka Verdugo, 1:36
• 94, Mikel Bizkarra, 2:12
• 97, Ricardo García, s.t.
• 98, Peio Bilbao, 2:15
• 101, Illart Zuazubiskar, 2:25
• 102, Jon Larrinaga, s.t.
• 103, Igor Merino, s.t.
• 118, Unai Iparraguirre, 8:05
• 119, Pablo Urtasun, s.t.

Sánches stays in Burgos contention

Samuel Sánchez continued his preparations for the Vuelta a España by putting in another steady performance on stage two of the Vuelta a Burgos on Thursday.

Just like on Wednesday, he came in 12th on a stage that again ended on a small climb. Orica-GreenEdge's talented Jens Keukeleire emerged victorious on the two-kilometre, uncategorized climb in Clunia after a 157km ride from Roa de Duero.

Sánchez, as well as team-mates Mikel Landa and Gorka Verdugo, came in with the first chase group at two seconds - ahead of the likes of Italian duo Vincenzo Nibali and Ivan Basso, both, like 'Samu', eyeing the overall at the Vuelta later this month.

Post-stage, the Euskaltel team leader took time out to speak to BiciCiclismo. While the 35-year-old feels he's headed in the right direction, he admits he won't be the number one favourite come the start of the year's final Grand Tour.

"I always race with the intention of winning, but I'm aware of the fact that, honestly, there'll be better cyclists than me present at the Vuelta", he said. "This is not a typical year for me; having already done the Giro d'Italia, I don't know how my body will respond to another GT - it's been eight years since I last doubled up on three-week races. Joaquim Rodríguez, Alejandro Valverde and Vincenzo Nibali are perhaps at a level above me, but, of course, the race will sort that out. We'll see".

Peio Bilbao, set for his maiden GT at the Vuelta, again showed fine form by infiltrating the break of the day. Alongside him was Team Euskadi first-year professionals Jon Larrinaga and Unai Iparraguirre, both hoping to make a name for themselves to facilitate the hunt for a new team in the likely scenario that the team folds at the end of the year.

Results (full results here):

• (1, Jens Keukeleire (Orica-GreenEdge), 3:37:02)
• 12, Samuel Sánchez, 0:12
• 17, Carlos Barbero, s.t.
• 20, Gorka Verdugo, s.t.
• 23, Mikel Landa, s.t.
• 48, Jorge Azanza, 0:13
• 49, Egoi Martínez, s.t.
• 56, Ricardo García, 0:24
• 58, Haritz Orbe, 0:30
• 79, Pablo Urtasun, 1:13
• 84, Aritz Bagües, 1:15
• 87, Igor Merino, 1:22
• 111, Mikel Bizkarra, 2:03
• 114, Illart Zuazubiskar, 2:09
• 120, Peio Bilbao, 3:14
• 121, Jon Larrinaga, 4:07
• 122, Unai Iparraguirre, s.t.

Photo: BCPT

Sánchez shows pre-Vuelta shape in Burgos opener

He said pre-race that he wasn't a candidate for the overall win, but Samuel Sánchez gave an indication to the contrary on the first stage of the Vuelta a Burgos on Wednesday.

The Euskaltel leader was quoted as saying that the likes of Nairo Quintana and Vincenzo Nibali were in a more advanced state of form going into the race, reiterating that he was only in Burgos to get back into the rhythm of competition after a two month hiatus as he starts to build for a tilt at the overall crown at the Vuelta a España.

The first leg, a 139km trek starting and finishing in Burgos at the top of the cat. 3-ranked Alto de Castillo, showed 'Samu' appears to be very much on track. After the day's break had been caught, of which Euskaltel's Jorge Azanza and Team Euskadi's Illart Zuazubiskar had formed part, the big guns were left to duke it out for the stage win on the steep cobbled climb in the city centre. Astana's Simone Ponzi came out tops after an expert lead-out from a certain Nibali, while Sánchez was good enough for 12th on the day - only eight seconds down and ahead of riders like the aforementioned Quintana, Beñat Intxausti, team-mate Mikel Landa, Rubén Plaza and Ivan Basso.

While Wednesday's stage was hardly the toughest or the most adequate to measure one's true form, it no doubt bodes well for what's to come later.

Young Peio Bilbao, set for his Grand Tour bow in the Vuelta later this month, also appears to be hitting form. The native of Gernika came in 12 seconds in arrears in a group led home by Team Euskadi prodigy Carlos Barbero, racing on home roads this week.

Results (Team Euskadi riders in cursive):

• (1, Simone Ponzi (Astana), 3:16:34)
• 12, Samuel Sánchez, 0:08
• 18, Carlos Barbero, 0:12
• 20, Mikel Landa, s.t.
• 41, Peio Bilbao, s.t.
• 42, Haritz Orbe, 0:21
• 50, Igor Merino, 0:32
• 63, Gorka Verdugo, 0:45
• 64, Egoi Martínez, s.t.
• 65, Jorge Azanza, s.t.
• 73, Unai Iparraguirre, 1:16
• 79, Mikel Bizkarra, 1:34
• 86, Ricardo García, 1:55
• 88, Aritz Bagües, 2:07
• 93, Pablo Urtasun, 2:51
• 115, Jon Larrinaga, 3:49
• 117, Illart Zuazubiskar, 3:58

Report: Lampre want Euskaltel merger

With no solution to Euskaltel's lack of sponsors in sight, several teams are allegedly contemplating merging with the team or buying their license outright.

According to trustworthy Basque daily El Correo, Italian WorldTour outfit Lampre-Merida are keen on merging with the team. The proposed merger would see six to ten of Euskaltel's riders staying on with the new team, while the rest of the roster would be made up of Lampre's existing riders and/or new signings.

Igor Antón has already been linked with a transfer to the team, and it's believed the team's Basque sports director Joxean "Matxin" Fernández is keen on either merging with Euskaltel or taking on some of its riders.

14 of the Euskaltel riders have contracts in place with the team's license holder Basque Cycling Pro Team for 2014 and beyond (among them the Izagirre brothers, Mikel Astarloza, Mikel Landa, Igor Antón, Mikel Nieve and Samuel Sánchez). With six to ten spots allegedly reserved for Euskaltel riders on the Lampre-Euskaltel project, the majority of those spots would naturally be taken by those with a contract stretching beyond the current season.

The likelihood of the merger actually going through is though unknown at the time of writing. El Correo claim the Euskaltel team heads aren't too keen, but it's thought the 'offer', either official or unofficial, hasn't been rebuffed just yet.

Photo: Iñaki Azanza

Rumour mill round-up: Astana, Landa, Nieve and the Izagirre brothers

It was on Tuesday reported that Astana are keen on taking on either one or both of Mikel Nieve and Igor Antón. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, they're also keen on Euskaltel's third standout climber: Mikel Landa.

"I like Mikel Nieve, but we're not in a position to throw money around", team head Giuseppe Martinelle is quoted as saying to the Italian sports daily according to BiciCiclismo. "Mikel Landa I like even more. He'd make a great duo along with (Fabio) Aru", he added, referring to the great Italian hope.

Ion Izagirre, possibly the best shot Basque cycling has at returning to its once prosperous state in the nineties and early 2000s, is also reported to be courted by pretty much the whole WorldTour peloton.

The precocious rider claims that he's not entertaining offers, though.

"I don't like all these rumours - it's a world of speculation", he tells Berria. "I have a contract with this team for next year, and we won't do anything before the team says something official. I know that people and various media are saying I've already signed with another team, but that's not the case.

"I hear I'm going to Movistar, Garmin, BMC and such like. I don't know where people get all this from, and, honestly, I'm tired of it. I haven't been in contact with anyone, and I've got a contract for next year.

"I won't have trouble finding a team, but that's a selfish way to look at it. Not everyone on the team is in the same situation, and the outlook for the team staff is dismal. If the team shuts down, a lot of people will be out of a job".

While Ion says he's far from reaching a deal with any new team, the same is not said to be the case with his brother Gorka.

According to the always well-informed El Correo, situated in the heart of 'Euskaltel-land' in Bilbao, Gorka has already penned a two-year deal with Movistar. This has yet to be confirmed by any of the parties, but if it turns out to be true he'll be the first rider to leave the team this year.

Photo: Iñaki Azanza

Report: Sky and Garmin keen on Nieve

While Euskaltel Euskadi is everything but likely to be seen on the WorldTour circuit in 2014, its top riders are apparently not having any trouble finding suitors on the sport's top table.

Samuel Sánchez, Mikel Landa and the Izagirre brothers can all reportedly join rival WorldTour teams in the off-season in the likely scenario that Euskaltel does cease to exist materializes. Unsurprisingly, that also seems to be the case with climbing duo Mikel Nieve and Igor Antón.

The former, fresh off a highly successful Tour de France debut appearance, is according to BiciCiclismo attracting admiring glances from powerhouses Team Sky and Garmin-Sharp - Movistar and Saxo-Tinkoff are also thought to be interested.

The latter has already been linked with Lampre-Merida, but, according to he trustworthy website, several other teams are also monitoring his situation.

BiciCiclismo writes that Astana and Omega Pharma-QuickStep have also made their interest in the duo known, but stops short of revealing which of the two riders the teams are keen on.

Both riders are under contract with Euskaltel next year, though, meaning they're more than likely to stay on should Igor González de Galdeano succeed in his sponsor hunt.

Photo: Iñaki Azanza

Basque hotshots to get their pro chance

Loïc Chetout and Víctor Etxeberría have been rewarded for their strong performances in the Naturgas Energía colours by being picked to ride for Team Euskadi next month.

Chetout has been the sub-23 team's outstanding rider this season, having taken three wins thus far and finally delivered on his undoubted talent. The punchy Frenchman turns 21 next month and will mark the anniversary by lining up with the pros of Euskadi for the two-day Tour de Gevaudan in his home country.

The race, usually Euskadi's last every season, has been used frequently by the Continental-ranked outfit the last few years to blood youngsters from their satellite team.

Chetout will be joined by the equally promising Víctor Etxeberría, reports the team's website. Etxeberría, one year Chetout's junior, is highly thought of on the Basque amateur scene and is about to complete his second season in the red and white jersey of Naturgas.

Photo: Karlis Medrano

Samuel Sánchez returns for Burgos tilt

Samuel Sánchez will ramp up his preparations for the Vuelta a España this week when he leads Euskaltel's charge in the Vuelta a Burgos.

'Samu' will spearhead the team at the year's last Grand Tour later in August. While he hasn't competed since the Critérium du Dauphiné, he's hotly tipped for a strong performance in Burgos - a race in which he's already taken one overall win and three stages in the past.

Joining him at the always hilly five-day event running from 7-11 of August will be trusted lieutenants Egoi Martínez, Jorge Azanza and Gorka Verdugo, fast finisher and all-rounder Pablo Urtasun, young guns Peio Bilbao and Ricardo García, as well as ace climber Mikel Landa - a winner of the 2011 edition's queen stage.

Euskaltel's feeder team (or perhaps former feeder team that is), Team Euskadi, will also line up.

The Continental-ranked team has enjoyed a breakout season and will look to build on it with a powerful eight-man line-up consisting of Mikel Bizkarra, Unai Iparraguirre, Carlos Barbero, Illart Zuazubiskar, Igor Merino, Aritz Bagües, Haritz Orbe and Jon Larrinaga.

A host of other Basques will take part as well. Former Euskaltel riders Amets Txurruka and Iván Velasco will be present in the colours of Caja Rural, Beñat Intxausti, who recently inked a new two-year deal with Movistar, will be there, while Iker Camaño will represent his NetApp-Endura squad.

Xabier Zandio will form part of Team Sky's roster, while former Naturgas Energía prodigy Efrén Carazo will line up in the colours of the race's home team, Burgos BH - Castilla y León.

Photo: BCPT