Yet another Iban interview

An interview with Iban can be read in today`s edition of Spanish newspaper Gara. In this interview he discusses all the usual things; his calendar, his pre-season, his illusions etc. Click and read: http://gara.net/idatzia/20070119/art197809.php

New jersey

Here`s a picture of the very new Euskaltel-Euskadi 2007 jersey, worn by Joseba Zubeldia. Personally, I think it looks nice. Nice logo and nice coulours. What do You think? Leave your comments...

Odriozola evaluates the Navarros

The Navarran contingent at Euskaltel is now up to four; five if you include sports director Jon Odriozola. Gorka Verdugo, Alan Perez, Jorge Azanza and Jon Bru are the riders from the Basque region, and here`s how fellow Navarran Jon Odriozola evaluates them in his own words:

• Gorka Verdugo: The reliability For us Euskaltel directors, Gorka is a guarantee. He`ll always turn in solid performances, no matter what race or state of form he`s in. He`s a very calm man, so I hope Gorka can take yet another step forward. He`s a rider for the important races. He made the cut for the Tour last year, and can definetely repeat that feat. He`s won our confidence.
• Alan Perez : Our bet for the future I have much confidence in him, and I know him very well. I directed him at Orbea, and I can tell you he`s the kind of rider who would give 100 % for the team at any time. He`s young and talented, so next year he`ll probably ride either the Giro or the Vuelta. We expect much of him, so he has to deliver some results this year.
• Jorge Azanza : The quality I like him and his attitude very much. He`s got the quality, and he`s got our confidence, so he may be the surprise of the season this year. Jorge will probably ride the Tour. If that doesn`t happen, he`ll anyway ride one of the other two GTs.
• Jon Bru : The winner We expect Jon to win some races for us next season, as he`s come here to win. He`s got the experience and the quality, and here he`ll definetely win some races; though how many I do not know. He`s in the prime age for a cyclist, so we expect the maximum of effort from him. He`s a classics rider, so he`ll ride all the big one-day classics for sure.
  
  From Noticias de Álava
  
  
  
  

Sabino Angoitia interview

Iban`s trusted friend, and now Saunier Duval directeur sportif, Sabino Angoitia talked to newspaper Noticias de Gipuzkoa yesterday. The result is an interesting interview, where he discusses his exit from Café Baqué, his relationship and expectations to Iban, David Etxebarria and a lot more. Read at:http://www.noticiasdegipuzkoa.com/ediciones/2007/01/18/deportes/ciclismo/d18cic58.452606.php

Detailed Iban calendar

This is how Iban`s announced calendar will look like. Though, he`ll race more races than this for sure, but this is the races that he`s definetely going to take part in; if not something unexpected turns up.

1. Challenge Mallorca 11.02.2007 - 15.02.2007
2. Vuelta a Andalucia 18.02.2007 - 22.02.2007
3. Paris-Nice 11.03.2007 - 18.03.2007
4. G.P. Miguel Índurain 07.04.2007
5. Vuelta al Pais Vasco 09.04.2007 - 14.04.2007
6. Clasica Amorebieta/Primavera 15.04.2007
7. Fleche Wallonne 25.04.2007
8. Liège-Bastogne-Liège 29.04.2007
9. Giro d`Italia 12.05.2007 - 03.06.2007
10. Tour de France 07.07.2007 - 29.07.2007
11. Clasica San Sebastian 04.08.2007

Another Iban interview

Iban has given an interview to Basque newspaper El Correo, which can be read if you click the links below. Here he talks of the usual stuff; his calendar, his new team, his objectives and so on. Part 1:http://www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/prensa/20070118/deportes/mayo-cambia-calendario_20070118.html . Part 2: http://www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/prensa/20070118/deportes/aprendido-cauto_20070118.html

"Matxin" praises Iban

Saunier Duval head "Matxin" Fernandez praised Iban on the Saunier Duval presentation today. "Matxin" said of Iban: "He is a superb rider; he is always in the news, if he goes well or if he does badly. Mayo should be a great contribution for Saunier Duval-Prodir, in all senses." Looks like he`s pleased with his capture....

Matxin:"Iban our Tour captain"

At the coming Tour de France, Iban will be the undisputed leader of his new team, Saunier Duval. On the Saunier Duval presentation today, Saunier director "Matxin" said that Iban will be their captain for the three-week stage-race. His support team will include the likes of climbing greats Koldo Gil and Gomez Marchante, as well as TT specialist David Millar. The rest of the peloton is hereby warned...

Matxin:"Iban and Gibo Giro leaders"

Saunier Duval director Joxean "Matxin" Fernandes stated on his teams presentation today that Iban will be a co-leader for the Giro d`Italia. "In the Giro, Simoni and Mayo will be our leaders", "Matxin" said. Most people thought that Iban would be riding support for Gibo in his home race, but it now seems that they are on equal terms as far as leadership-duties are assumed. Great news for Iban; being team leader in the most mountainous GT must be a dream come true.

Unai Etxebarria interview

An interview with Euskaltel veteran Unai Etxebarria can be read at the website of Spanish daily DEIA. He talks of his thoughts on being the oldest in the team, his calendar for next year, the good old days, and a lot more. Read here: http://www.deia.com/es/impresa/2007/01/18/bizkaia/kirolak/328280.php

Miguel Madariaga interview

Euskaltel head Miguel Madariaga has given an interview to Basque daily El Correo. Miguel discusses the conflict between the UCI and the event organizers, DNA testing, the future of Basque cycling, the future of the sport, Igor Galdeano and his hopes for the future. Click and read part 1: http://www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/prensa/20070117/deportes/este-deporte-tocado-fondo_20070117.html . Part 2: http://www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/prensa/20070117/deportes/este-equipo-ningun-director_20070117.html

Samu Sánchez interview

There are interviews with Euskaltel riders everywhere these days, and Noticias de Gipuzkoa today included an interview with Samu Sánchez. The Euskaltel team-leader talked of the departure of Iban and Roberto, the new arrivals, the changes in the squad, Igor Galdeano, Julian Gorospe, leadership duties, DNA testing and ambitions for the season. Read here: http://www.noticiasdegipuzkoa.com/ediciones/2007/01/17/deportes/ciclismo/d17cic50.451425.php

Euskaltel for the Tour

According to Euskaltel-Euskadi Blog (http://euskaltel.ilblog.it/), the Euskaltel team for the Tour de France is practically completed. If everything goes to plan, four riders will make their Tour debut in July. Aitor Galdos, Igor Antón, Jorge Azanza and Amets Txurruka will probably be joined by Haimar Zubeldia, Iñigo Landaluze, Iñaki Isasi, Mikel Astarloza and Gorka Verdugo. Seems like a great team to me. There are sprinters, TTers, climbers and "breakawayers" on this line-up, something that should make Euskaltel capable of winning any stage.

Iban: "CSC wanted me"

In Iban`s interview with Marca, he reveals CSC`s interest in him. Prior to joining Saunier, Iban says that he had contract offers from three or four Pro Tour teams, one of them being from CSC. CSC, widely regarded as the best team in the world, wanted Iban alongside mountain-gout and GC specialist Carlos Sastre in the Tour. Iban said Carlos wanted Iban to assist him, but that he chose Saunier, and he`s is in no doubt that he did the right thing. Quite interesting to see how high Iban is regarded in the sport; even after a dismal 2006, considering his high standards, the best team in the world wanted to sign him.