Euskaltel presentation

The Euskaltel-Euskadi team yesterday held it`s official presentation in the Palacio Euskalduna de Bilbao. The 29 riders, together with the staff and directors, were all present, as well as newly-retired Euskaltel legend Roberto Laiseka, earlier Tour de France director Jean-Marie Leblanc, Basque president Juan José Ibarretxe, general director of Euskaltel Alberto García Erauskin, general deputy of Vizcaya José Luis Bilbao, Orbea manager Miguel Ocaña and former cycling greats Abraham Olano and José Luis Korta. During the presentation, Roberto Laiseka was honoured, Madariaga spoke of "team spirit" and "illusions" and the team and the Fundacion Ciclista Euskadi were honoured in every single way.

Haimar calendar

According to Haimar`s interview in the El Mundo Deportivo yesterday, Haimar will begin his season in the Vuelta a Murcia. Haimar will once again peak for the Tour, his biggest goal, and will ride the Tour de Romandie and the Dauphiné to hone his form for July`s show-case event. Haimar confirmed he will not take part in Euskaltel`s home races, the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and the Euskal Bizikleta. Though he`s enjoyed great moments in these races earlier, Haimar felt that Romandie and Dauphiné was the way to go to get the necessary form and fitness for the Tour.

Haimar interview

Euskaltel leader and Tour de France-hope Haimar Zubeldia talked to Spanish sports daily El Mundo Deportivo yesterday. In this great interview, Haimar discusses his calendar, the changes at the team, Iban, his hopes for the future, his childhood and a lot more. Definetely one to read. Part 1: http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/20070124/NOTICIA246063371.html

Part 2: http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/20070124/NOTICIA247584026.html

Galparsoro operated

Euskaltel new-boy Dioni Galparsoro has underwent a successful operation to his right knee. The 28-year-old has felt pain in his knee for a long time, and therefore an operation was necessary. Dioni will spend the night at the hospital, but will be discharged Friday morning if everything goes to plan. He will then have to relax for a week or so, before hopefully returning to light training.

Iban and Simoni captains in Andalucia

Iban and Gilberto Simoni will share leadership-duties in the 53rd edition of the Vuelta a Andalucia. The five-day stage-race, which takes place from the 18th to the 22nd of February, will see Iban and Simoni spare-head a strong Saunier Duval line-up, hoping that one of their captains will deliver the goods.

Miguel Madariaga interview

In today`s edition of the Noticias de Gipuzkoa, you can read an interview with Euskaltel head Miguel Madariaga. He talks of the future plans, Iban, Osa and Beloki, the set-up in the team and so on. Part 1:

http://www.noticiasdegipuzkoa.com/ediciones/2007/01/24/deportes/ciclismo/d24cic54.458687.phpPart 2:http://www.noticiasdegipuzkoa.com/ediciones/2007/01/24/deportes/ciclismo/d24cic54.458688.php

The Fundacion Ciclista Euskadi renews deal with DFG

The Fundacion Ciclista Euskadi have renewed its agreement with the Diputacion Foral de Gipuzkoa. That means that the Fundacion will receive 1,8 million euros from the Gipuzkoan delegation over two years. The renewed and very important deal will end at the 31st of December 2008, and will give Euskaltel-Euskadi 900 000 euros each year. As part of this deal, Euskaltel will be committed to promote the region of Gipuzkoa in all races they take part in. Present at the disputation were Gipuzkoan riders Haimar and Joseba Zubeldia, Andoni Aranaga, Mikel Astarloza, Markel Irizar, Iban Iriondo, Lander Aperribay, Iban Velasco, Iban Mayoz, Jorge Azanza, Aitor Galdos, Aitor Hernandez and Gorka Verdugo, along with Messrs Madariaga, Galdeano, Odriozola, Gerrikagoitia and Carbayeda.

Pictures from Saunier Duval presentation/training camp

Intxausti, Duran, Iban, Camaño, Gil

Iban and Rubens Lobato

Iban and Koldo Gil

Iban, J.J. Cobo, Rubens Bertogliati

Iban and Koldo Gil

Iban and Matxin talk

Iban and his sports director at Saunier Duval, Joxean "Matxin" Fernandez, talked to Basque daily El Correo yesterday. The two talked about the issues cycling has to overcome, the Puerto scandal, the lack of privacy for pro cyclists and a lot more. An amusing read: http://www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/prensa/20070121/deportes/ciclismo-necesita_20070121.html

Euskaltel finalizes training-camp

Euskaltel`s training camp in Alfaz del Pí, Alicante, will end tomorrow. The team did their last training-ride today, before heading back to Euskadi early Sunday morning. In total, each rider will have covered more than 1100 kms while in Alicante. The exceptions are Igor Antón and Dioni Galparsoro, who had troubles with the flu and knee pain respectively. All the Euskaltel directors and staff is said to be pleased with the result of the training camp. Everything went to plan, and every rider covered valuable kms for the fast-approaching season. Every day, the team were divided into three groups; the intensity of each group being the difference.

"I will return to be the one who beat Armstrong"

These words came from Iban in his latest interview with Spanish sports daily El Mundo Deportivo. He discusses the future, the past, the battles with Armstrong and so on. Read: http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/20070120/NOTICIA247178359.html

Isasi the best sprinter

According to the voters on "Best Euskaltel sprinter", fast-man Iñaki Isasi is by far the best sprinter at Euskaltel right now. Iñaki amassed an impressive 58 % of the votes, a long way ahead of Aitor Galdos who came second with 26 %, and Koldo Fernandez who received 16 % of the votes. Iñaki recorded several impressive results in sprints last year, most notably a third-place in a stage of the Tour de France. The fans favourite is hereby crowned the best sprinter at the team; though, will he better fellow fast-men Koldo and Aitor the coming season? That remains to be seen...

"Mayo is a star"

Those are the words of Iban`s new sports director at Saunier Duval, "Matxin" Fernandez. In his interview with Spanish daily DEIA, "Matxin" talks mostly of Iban; his admiration of Iban, Iban`s stature in the peloton, his strength and weaknesses and so on. He also talks of the other signings, his hopes for them etc. Definetely worth a

read:http://www.deia.com/es/impresa/2007/01/19/bizkaia/kirolak/328620.php

Iban and Angoitia interview

Iban and his close friend and Saunier directeur sportif Sabino Angoitia, have given an interview to Spanish daily Gara. They talk of their relationship, their history, Iban`s car-accident, his talent and a lot more. Definetely worth a read. Click: http://gara.net/idatzia/20070119/art197810.php