Iban interview

In today`s edition of Spanish sports daily Marca, you can read an interview with Iban. Iban tells about his reasons for changing teams, how his training is going, his Tour and Giro plans, and a lot more. Read and enjoy:

http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/ciclismo/es/desarrollo/729436.html

Igor Antón interview

Up-and-coming climbing-prodigy Igor Antón has given an intrevista Basque daily DEIA. This is definetely a interview to read, as Igor talks of his Tour aspirations, the loss of Roberto Laiseka, how he hopes to improve as a rider, the last year and so on. As usual, I`ll just give you the link to the interview, as I`m not a fan of reproducing other`s interviews as my own. Read here: http://www.deia.com/es/impresa/2007/01/17/bizkaia/kirolak/327962.php

Euskaltel training-camp update 3

Today the Euskaltel riders enjoyed their most relaxing day so far. After a lengthy photo-session followed by a 6 hour spin yesterday, the riders today rode for about 3 hours before relaxing back at the hotel for the rest of the day. The first of the three groups, containing Mikel Astarloza, Beñat Albizuri, Koldo Fernandez de Larrea, Andoni Aranaga, Aitor Hernandez, Dioni Galparsoro and Igor Antón, covered 80 kilometers in about 2 hours, under the guidance of Xabier Carbayeda. The second group, Haimar and Joseba Zubeldia, Iñaki Isasi, Iban Iriondo, Amets Txurruka, Aitor Galdos, Unai Uribarri, Gorka Verdugo, Iñigo Landaluze and Aketza Peña, covered 115 kilometers in 3 hours, accompanied by Jon Odriozola. The last group, including Lander Aperribay, Iban Mayoz, Antton Luengo, Jon Bru, Andoni Lafuente, Ivan Velasco, Alan Perez, Markel Irizar, Samuel Sanchez, Unai Etxebarria, Rubén Perez and Jorge Azanza, covered approximately the same distance as group 2. Gorka Gerrikagoiria supervised the riders on their 3 hour spin.

The training for Thursday will be mainly the same as for Wednesday, with, though with some exceptions, the same riders covering the same distance with the same directeur sportif. Though, there is one change planned, and that is that at around 12 o`clock, all the three groups will join eachother for some light training.

Jon Odriozola interview

New Euskaltel sports director Jon Odriozola has given an interview to the daily newspaper Noticias de Gipuzkoa. Jon speaks of his move from Orbea, his hopes for the season, his achievements in the sport, the "Euskaltel family" and a lot more. Part 1: http://www.noticiasdegipuzkoa.com/ediciones/2007/01/16/deportes/ciclismo/d16cic56.449794.php Part two: http://www.noticiasdegipuzkoa.com/ediciones/2007/01/16/deportes/ciclismo/d16cic56.449793.php

Iban`s fanbase

When I started up this page, I had this idea that I was about the only foreign supporter of Iban. I thought there were only Spanish fans, but since the "launch" of the site, I`ve received e-mails from all-over Europe; e-mails from people who are die-hard Iban fans. I`ve received mails from the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy and Belgium, just to name a few. It`s really encouraging to see so many support Iban, as well as Euskaltel, and who likes my page. One of the main reasons I started this blog, was that I felt there weren`t many places to go if you were looking for stuff on Iban unless you spoke Spanish. I hope there`s now an alternative to translating Spanish sites of news about Iban. Too see so many people from so many different countries visit my page is truly encouraging. Keep on checking into Iban Mayo Blog for updates, news and stories about the most talented cyclist of his generation.

Another Galdeano interview

An interview with Euskaltel technical director Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano can be read in today`s edition of DEIA. In this interesting interview, he reveals who he expects to win races for the team next year, why he wont miss Iban, how the team will cope without Roberto Laiseka, next year`s ambitions etc. Read: http://www.deia.com/es/impresa/2007/01/16/bizkaia/kirolak/327622.php

Euskaltel training-camp update 2

The training in Alfaz del Pí is going as planned for all Euskaltel riders. Yesterday, the group that will be hoping for a strong start to the season rode 180 km, which included 4 ascents. Samu, Mikel Astarloza and Jon Bru were among the riders in this group. The group of the Zubeldias, Landaluze and Galdos rode 150 km, as did the group of Verdugo, Luengo and Peña. Tuesday will see the official photos being taken, before they head out for training later in the day.

Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano interview

Euskaltel technical director Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano has given yet another interview to Basque daily el Diario Vasco. Though, this is not the usual interview about ambitions, the future, the calendar and so on. In this intereview, Igor answers questions on a rider`s optimal weight, his own weight when he was active, the "togetherness" of the squad, the changes made at Euskaltel, the rider`s training etc. Read it, it`s definetely worth a read: http://www.diariovasco.com/prensa/20070115/deportes/equipo-base-tour-tranquilidad_20070115.html .

Euskaltel aiming on Vuelta al Pais Vasco

One of the upcoming season`s major goals, the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, will see Euskaltel going for stage-wins as well as overall honours. Last year, Samu took two stage-wins in Euskaltel`s home race, and will be hoping for an overall win this time around. As the race is one of the team`s main objectives, a big part of the roster is already been made official. Together with Samu, Gorga Verdugo, Mikel Astarloza, Jon Bru, Jorge Azanza and Dioni Galparsoro will do the Pro Tour stage race.

New Euskaltel masseur

The well-known Basque masseur Gabino Ereñozaga has joined Euskaltel. Igor Galdeano decided to take him on, as Gabino was a masseur at, amongst others, ONCE and Liberty Seguros some years ago; two of Igor`s previous teams. Welcome, Gabino.

Markel Irizar becomes a father

Congratulations to Markel Irizar Aranburu, who became a father for the first time yesterday. His wife, Alaitz, gave birth to a boy, called Xabat. The boy weighed in at 3.7 kg, and is said to be healthy and perfectly well-born.

Euskaltel training-camp update 1

The Euskaltel training camp in Alfaz del Pí, Alicante, is well underway. The training camp, which started yesterday and will end next Sunday, will see Euskaltel prepare thoroughly for the season ahead. The first training session was held today, and saw the team seperated in 3 groups, with each group taking a different route. The first group, consisting of Mikel Astarloza, Rubén Perez, Beñat Albizuri, Aitor Hernandez, Samuel Sanchez, Unai Etxebarria, Antton Luengo, Markel Irizar, Jorge Azanza and Andoni Aranaga rode for 160 km. The riders that make up this group are planned to start the season in good shape, and therefore trained with some intensity. The second group, consisting of the Zubeldia brothers, Iban Iriondo, Koldo Fernandez, Amets Txurruka, Aitor Galdos, Unai Uribarri and Iñigo Landaluze rode approximately 150 km before returning to the hotel. The rest of the riders underwent some lenghty physical tests on the roller, all except of Dioni Galparsoro, suffering with knee pains, and Igor Antón, who`s got symptoms of the flu, who were limited to a couple of hours of riding.

The plans have been made for Monday`s training sessions already. The 29 riders will be divided into three groups, roughly the same groups as mentioned above, and will ride a quite hilly 140 km route.

Antón the best climber

The poll "Best Euskaltel climber" gave some,to me at least, surprising results. 59 % of the votes went to young prodigy Igor Antón, while the more seasoned pros Haimar Zubeldia, Roberto Laiseka and Samu Sanchez received 18 %, 14 % and 9 % respectively. Seems like Igor has got something to live up to now:)

San Diego trip to be repeated

The three Euskaltel riders Samu Sanchez, Igor Antón and Haimar Zubeldia has, according to Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano, made big improvements while being in San Diego. Igor said that they`ve improved their positions, tried out new gear, new clothes and different set-ups on the bike. They`ve all got room for improvement, especially Igor Antón, who`s the youngest and the least experienced. Antón will, according to the wind-tunnel folks over in San Diego, ride a minute faster over 50 km, at least. The trip was so successful that Gonzalez de Galdeano is already thinking of a repeat of the trip, either with a few other riders, or, in fact, the whole team.