Sánchez ascends as Gilbert reigns

Samuel Sánchez moved up to 14th on GC on the Vuelta a España's 12th stage on Thursday.

'Samu' came in with the first group and thus edged ahead of Eros Capecchi into 14th, the Italian coming in 14 seconds down.

Aside from that minor improvement on GC, Euskaltel kept a decidedly low profile as the sprinters finally got a chance to shine. Edvald Boasson Hagen looked to be on course for a win, having started his sprint from way out, only to see reigning world champ Philippe Gilbert pip him to the line.

Results:

• (1, Philippe Gilbert (BMC), 4:03:44)
• 26, Samuel Sánchez, s.t.
• 32, Egoi Martínez, s.t.
• 46, Mikel Landa, 0:08
• 47, Igor Antón, s.t.
• 69, Mikel Nieve, 0:19
• 72, Juan José Oroz, 0:31
• 87, Jorge Azanza, 0:50
• 98, Gorka Verdugo, 0:59
• 99, Pablo Urtasun, s.t.

Photo: Orbea

Euskaltel set for brand new double date

In keeping with their stated objectives prior to the current season, Euskaltel will line up in two races this weekend they've never previously taken part in.

The races in question are the one-day races Brussels Cycling Classic (Saturday, 7. September) and GP de Fourmies (Sunday, 8. September).

Hoping to debut with a bang, the team directors have opted to field a mixture of local and foreign talent.

The roster reads as follows: Mikel Astarloza, Garikoitz Bravo, Ricardo Mestre, Steffen Radochla, Ioannis Tamouridis, Jure Kocjan, Robert Vrecer and Jon Aberasturi.

Óscar Guerrero will lead the team from the car.

Photo: Iñaki Azanza

Sánchez time trials his way into form

Samuel Sánchez showed his shape is very much on the up in Wednesday's individual time trial in the Vuelta a España.

A top GC placing might be well out of arm's reach for the Euskaltel leader by this point, but that didn't stop him in leaving it all on the road in the 38km race against the clock starting and finishing in Tarazona.

While there was no stopping Fabian Cancellara taking the stage, 'Samu' came through for a solid tenth on the day - 2:13 back on the Swiss machine, but less than a minute behind most of his fellow GC contenders.

Jorge Azanza looked decent in 35th, while climbers Mikel Nieve and Igor Antón looked less impressive in 56th and 60th respectively.

Courtesy of his tenth on Wednesday, 'Samu' moves up to 15th overall.

Results:

• (1, Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard), 51:00)
• 10, Samuel Sánchez, 2:13
• 35, Jorge Azanza, 4:15
• 56, Mikel Nieve, 5:01
• 60, Igor Antón, 5:04
• 72, Gorka Verdugo, 5:13
• 82, Egoi Martínez, 5:23
• 91, Mikel Landa, 5:37
• 110, Pablo Urtasun, 6:29
• 154, Juan José Oroz, 7:59

Photo: Orbea

Galdeano - It's too early to talk about Contador

Given the close ties between Alberto Contador, Samuel Sánchez and Fernando Alonso, rumours were bound to start circulating about the former teaming up with the latter pair on the new-look Euskaltel team in 2014.

That talk is premature, though, claims Igor González de Galdeano. The long-time Euskaltel Euskadi head is more than likely to be at the helm of the new team as well, and at this moment in time he claims it's unrealistic that Contador will team up in the near future.

The native of Pinto has a contract in place for next year with Saxo-Tinkoff, but some reports have it that Bjarne Riis is struggling to come up with the money needed to pay Contador's more than healthy wages.

"Contador? No, that's moving too fast. Right now we have to concentrate on the riders we have", he tells El Correo.

The team is likely to move its headquarters out of the Basque Country and become much more of an international team, thus paving the way - in theory, anyway - for big-name non-Basques to come on board.

Sánchez and Contador have on numerous occasions in the past admitted they'd love to ride on the same team before they retire, but it seems at best unlikely that will happen as early as next year.

As for the "new" Euskaltel, Spanish media have it that the team's name is likely to have 'Banco Santander', one of Alonso's big personal sponsors, in it.

Alonso steps in to save Euskaltel Euskadi

Euskaltel Euskadi have confirmed rumours that Formula 1 star Fernando Alonso has decided to purchase the team's license and take over the team.

Alonso, who's an avid cycling fan and no bad rider himself, was last week successful in convincing his personal sponsors to come up with the six million euro needed to by the license from the team's holding company Basque Cycling Pro Team. Rumours only surfaced about a deal being reached between the two parties early on Monday morning, but only a few hours later both Alonso and the team had confirmed the deal.

The rumour going the rounds this weekend was actually that Catalan banking group Sabadell was ready to step in to save the team, but in the end it turns out that the Formula 1 celebrity will be the owner for the next few years.

For how many, though, has not been disclosed.

Alonso hails from the Asturias region in northern Spain and will run the team from Samuel Sánchez's home region. Alonso is of course a long-time friend of the Euskaltel rider - as well as of Alberto Contador. 'Samu' and Alonso are known to be occasional training partners, and the latter has for several years flirted with the idea of running his own team.

BiciCiclismo claim Igor González de Galdeano is likely to lead the team in much the same way he's done at Euskaltel Euskadi, and the team will as usual be based around Sánchez, Igor Antón, Mikel Nieve and the Izagirre brothers. All 14 riders with contracts in place for next year will reportedly form part of the 'new' team.

As of now, there's been no word on whether the riders with contracts expiring this year will stay on or not. Nor has a name for the team been released. Telephone company Euskaltel will not fund the team in any way.

"Enthusiasm, seriousness, sacrifice, evolution and transparency are the words on which this team will build its foundations", Alonso's press release reads. "Alonso is thrilled to be forming an active part in cycling and to be able to improve the image of this sport. Transparency and zero tolerance will therefore be fundamental pillars on which the foundations will be laid for this exciting sports project.

"After various days of intense negotiations between both parties, carried out with maximum discretion, we are pleased to announce that the Spanish athlete has reached an initial agreement to buy Euskaltel Euskadi and so avoid its demise".

More on this subject as news come through

Photo: The Guardian

Euskaltel come to life in Valdepeñas de Jaén

Euskaltel's star trio finally looked like something reminiscent of their old selfs on Sunday's brutally steep finish in Valdepeñas de Jaén.

After what's been a decidedly below-par Vuelta a España up until the weekend, Samuel Sánchez, Igor Antón and Mikel Nieve all looked among the strongest on the ninth stage. The former came in an encouraging fifth, Antón ended up 10th, and Nieve came in a close 14th.

No one were even close to challenging the superior Daniel Moreno, but Euskaltel did come away with the team prize on the day. Heading into the last two weeks, the team looks very much capable of grabbing a stage win at least.

While loftier targets might have been set pre-race, a stage win at this moment in time would be memorable.

Results:

• (1, Daniel Moreno (Katusha), 4:18:57)
• 5, Samuel Sánchez, 0:08
• 10, Igor Antón, 0:15
• 14, Mikel Nieve, 0:18
• 66, Juan José Oroz, 1:45
• 67, Jorge Azanza, 1:49
• 82, Egoi Martínez, 2:35
• 83, Gorka Verdugo, s.t.
• 136, Mikel Landa, 16:19
• 185, Pablo Urtasun, 16:29

Over in France at the GP Plouay, the orange squad had a rather more discreet showing.

The team's main hope, Juan José Lobato, pulled out and left the team without any real alternative for the sprint finish eventually taken out by a seemingly revived Filippo Pozzato. 

Five of the Euskaltel riders made it in with the main pack, the best of whom were Romain Sicard in 47th. 

Results:

• (1, Filippo Pozzato (Lampre-Merida), 5:59:54)
• 47, Romain Sicard, s.t.
• 51, Peio Bilbao, s.t.
• 57, Miguel Mínguez, s.t.
• 64, Gorka Izagirre, s.t.
• 68, Ion Izagirre, s.t.
• 82, Mikel Astarloza, 1:10

Photo: Orbea

Antón - I can walk with my head held high

Igor Antón showed the bravado and panache that once made him famous on Saturday's mountainous eighth stage of the Vuelta a España.

The diminutive climber attacked four clicks out from the summit of the previously untested Peñas Blancas, hoping to catch the favourites cold. And he very nearly did. Despite missing the top shape that in the past handed him four Vuelta stages, he nearly soloed to what would have been a momentous win for both him and his crumbling team.

At 600 metres from the line he got caught by eventual victor Leopold König, though, and then had to settle for seventh on the line.

Post stage, he was both proud and annoyed.

"It's a real shame that I got so close yet missed out", he said. "I wanted to surprise, and I knew I couldn't wait 'till the finale - it would have been really hard against riders like Rodríguez and Valverde. I hoped they would slow down behind me, but the finishing straight put paid to my chances.

"To ride all alone against a group like that is tough. Still, though, I'm happy with how I did. I can walk with my head held high".

While Antón's ride was heartwarming, the other Euskaltel stars' were not.

Samuel Sánchez never looked like staying the distance, eventually finishing 21st. Mikel Nieve had an even worse day, coming in over three minutes down in 40th.

After eight stages, Nieve remains the top placed Euskaltel rider on GC in 31st - 4:24 in arrears.

Results:

• (1, Leopold König (NetApp-Endura), 4:09:46)
• 7, Igor Antón, 0:13
• 21, Samuel Sánchez, 0:40
• 40, Mikel Nieve, 3:03
• 55, Jorge Azanza, 7:51
• 57, Mikel Landa, s.t.
• 65, Egoi Martínez, 12:13
• 66, Gorka Verdugo, 12:14
• 118, Juan José Oroz, 18:53
• 184, Pablo Urtasun, s.t.

Photo: Iñaki Azanza

Antón chooses Omega Pharma-QuickStep

According to a reliable Spanish website, Igor Antón will ride for Omega Pharma-QuickStep in 2014.

According to BiciCiclismo, "only Antón's signature" is lacking. Allegedly he's "very close to reaching an agreement" with Patrick Lefevere's powerhouse squad after being convinced by their offer.

The signing of the contract and the transfer is likely to be confirmed during the weekend, writes the website.

Antón has courted interest from a number of teams, not least Team Sky, Astana and Lampre-Merida, but now appears set on a move to the Belgian team.

The mercurial climber's long-stated goal was to finish his career in Euskaltel colours, but he's nonetheless looking forward to this "enforced change of teams".

"It's a strange feeling (knowing the team will cease to exist", he said. "I've always said I'd like to retire here, like Roberto Laiseka once did. It's always been a very special and different team. It's a sad situation, but you have to move on. The victories, the good times and the friendships made will stay with me.

"My motivation now is to return to my best form", he added, referring to his shape of 2010 and 2011. "A change in teams, an enforced one in this case, makes me a bit scared, but I think it'll be good for me.  To change scenery and to discover another type of bike riding might lift me. Time will tell".

The Vuelta a España is likely to be Antón's final appearance in the famous orange jersey. To mark the occasion, he's channelling all his energies into taking what would be a fifth stage triumph in the race.

Photo: Orbea

Lobato heads up Plouay charge

Juan José Lobato will be Euskaltel's main go-to guy in the GP Ouest France - Plouay on Sunday.

The sprinter will lead the team in its final appearance in the French one-day Classic and will hope to grab the team's first ever win at the event.

Joining the potent Lobato will be Rubén Pérez, Gorka and Ion Izagirre, the in-form Romain Sicard, the reliable Mikel Astarloza, speedy all-rounder Ricardo García and solid domestique Miguel Mínguez.

Photo: Iñaki Azanza

Sánchez unhappy with Vuelta organizers

Samuel Sánchez took the unusual step of criticizing the race organizer after the conclusion of the Vuelta a España's seventh stage on Friday.

Mind you, he minced his words. The last few clicks on the stage from Almendralejo to Mairena de Aljarafe were visibly everything but safe. Zdenek Stybar anticipated the bunch sprint to claim a well-deserved win, but several of the top GC riders weren't best pleased post-race. Joaquim Rodríguez was one of the first to air his frustrations, and 'Samu' followed up not long after.

"I don't know if it's an indictable stage finish, but it's lamentable", he said. "Our safety has to be thought of. Complicated finishes are okay, but the spectators were too close to us today".

'Samu' got through the stage unscathed, though, but heads into Saturday's big day in the mountains in a lowly 45th overall - almost four minutes in arrears. The team's top rider is still Mikel Nieve in 25th, no more than a minute and a half down on Vincenzo Nibali.

Results:

• (1, Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), 4:51:27)
• 32, Samuel Sánchez, 0:01
• 39, Egoi Martínez, s.t.
• 50, Mikel Nieve, s.t.
• 84, Mikel Landa, s.t.
• 90, Jorge Azanza, s.t.
• 98, Igor Antón, s.t.
• 102, Gorka Verdugo, s.t.
• 144, Juan José Oroz, 4:19
• 188, Pablo Urtasun, 4:53

Photo: Orbea

Heroic Urtasun goes close

Pablo Urtasun launched a courageous and whole-hearted attack in the closing clicks of Wednesday's fifth stage of the Vuelta a España.

The speedy veteran made his move on the last little bump in the road with some two kilometres to go on the stage from Sober to Lago de Sanabria. He wasn't able to seal the deal, but he at least showed there's still a fire burning inside the Euskaltel riders after what's been a horrendous Vuelta thus far.

Eventually Michael Matthews emerged victorious in the dash for the line. Samuel Sánchez was the team's best rider in 18th.

Results:

• (1, Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge), 4:28:22)
• 18, Samuel Sánchez, s.t.
• 23, Egoi Martínez, s.t.
• 33, Mikel Nieve, s.t.
• 52, Igor Antón, s.t.
• 94, Pablo Urtasun, s.t.
• 113, Juan José Oroz, 1:16
• 115, Mikel Landa, s.t.
• 116, Gorka Verdugo, s.t.
• 158, Jorge Azanza, 3:35

Photo: Kevin Remmerie

Star trio gets through stage four of the Vuelta

Samuel Sánchez, Mikel Nieve and Igor Antón all stayed with the frontrunners on today's largely uneventful fourth stage of the Vuelta a España.

Euskaltel took a backseat to proceedings on the 190km leg from Lalín to Fisterra. Daniel Moreno emerged victorious after a vicious acceleration near the end, while Vincenzo Nibali inherited the red leader's jersey as Chris Horner, like the aforementioned orange trio, came in six seconds down.

On GC, Nieve still leads the way in 26th.

Results:

• (1, Daniel Moreno (Katusha), 4:37:47)
• 33, Samuel Sánchez, 0:06
• 43, Igor Antón, s.t.
• 51, Mikel Nieve, s.t.
• 79, Mikel Landa, 0:58
• 81, Juan José Oroz, 1:28
• 90, Egoi Martínez, 1:39
• 104, Gorka Verdugo, 2:50
• 179, Jorge Azanza, 14:21
• 183, Pablo Urtasun, s.t.

Photo: Orbea

Urtasun break signals change in tactics

A day after Samuel Sánchez's failure on stage two, Euskaltel seemingly embarked on stage three with a new race plan.

With the team's leader well and truly out of general classification contention already, Pablo Urtasun, normally charged with watching out for 'Samu', was given a free leash by his captain and decided to try his luck in the day's main break. With no GC contender in the team's ranks, the Euskaltel riders appear ready to hunt glory for themselves.

For Urtasun it didn't work out, but as a consolation prize he came away with the 'Most aggressive rider' award.

Chris Horner surprisingly grabbed the win on the uphill drag to the line, while Mikel Nieve and Sánchez stayed with the favourites' group that came in 13 seconds down.

Nieve was impeded by a crash at a bad time in the finale, but hard work by his team-mates ensured he got back on in time and defended his position overall.

Jorge Azanza also went down, but appeared to emerge relatively unscathed.

Results:

• (1, Chris Horner (RadioShack), 4:30:18)
• 20, Mikel Nieve, 0:13
• 23, Samuel Sánchez, s.t.
• 40, Igor Antón, 0:29
• 99, Egoi Martínez, 4:10
• 100, Gorka Verdugo, s.t.
• 108, Juan José Oroz, 4:51
• 142, Mikel Landa, 6:24
• 174, Pablo Urtasun, 11:55
• 196, Jorge Azanza, 13:55

Photo: Iñaki Azanza

Ion Izagirre makes a race of it in Hamburg

Ion Izagirre showed he's still going strong after a race-heavy season by going on the offensive in the Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg, Germany on Sunday.

The youngest of the brothers has been racing virtually all year, starting way back in January at the Tour Down Under, but showed no signs of fatigue as he jumped from the pack along with a dangerous-looking group on the penultimate ascension of the Waseberg. It wasn't to be, though, as the sprinters' teams weren't going to let the opportunity of a WorldTour win slip away from them.

Eventually home riders John Degenkolb and André Greipel took first and second.

Another Euskaltel rider who made his presence felt was Garikoitz Bravo. The first-year rider on the WorldTour circuit is on the lookout for a new team, like all his team-mates, and decided to form part of the day's main break to put his name out there. His reward? The intermediate sprints prize.

Results:

• (1, John Degenkolb (Argos) 5:45:16)
• 31, Juan José Lobato, 0:03
• 38, Adrián Sáez, 0:05
• 59, Romain Sicard, 0:09
• 60, Miguel Mínguez, s.t.
• 67, Rubén Pérez, 0:10
• 115, Gorka Izagirre, 1:08
• 139, Ion Izagirre, 7:00
• 147, Garikoitz Bravo, 11:38

Photo: BCPT