Galdeano: "It's gonna be madness"

Igor González de Galdeano spent yesterday checking out the cobbled sections of the Tour's fourth stage this year with Samu, Egoi and JJ. After seing the course, Igor wasn't particularly optimistic. "It's gonna me madness", he said. "You'll be riding on a big highway and then suddenly on a three times narrower one. And as always the wind will be strong. I've never done Paris-Roubaix, but I did the 2004 Tour (the last time the race took on the French cobbles). The important thing is the positioning, to be able to start and finish the cobbled parts in the same place in the pack. The first three sections are in Belgium, but the hard ones come in France. You have to be lucky, or at least not be unlucky. It'll be decisive. You wont win the race there, but you can loose it."

Hot!

No, not Eva Longoria. Or, well, she's kinda hot too. But I'm talking about the bike. Cycling's equivalent to the Ferrari, Orbea, is all the rage right now, and take a look at that bike! If you want to be classy, go get your hands on an Orca. Euskaltel and Orbea's dream-machine totally out-shines Longoria on this picture. At least that's what I feel. Kinda.

Are you the next Ibán? Nr. 4: Jonathan Castroviejo

Candidate number 4 is perhaps not the most obvious one, but given that I've spoken highly of this rider for two years now I thought it adequate to give Jonathan Castroviejo a chance at being classed the next Ibán. Here's how he fared:

• Basque? Si
• Awesome climber? Not so much at this stage of his career. Has the potential though, but I see him more evolving into a Valverde, Cunego type of climber rather than a mountain-goat
• Erratic? Hard to say so early on, but by the look of it I'd say no
• Good in long time trials? Most definetely (This ain't going too well...)
• Classy? Yep
• Rock star looks? No
• GT material? Maybe, but probably a rider more suited to one- and two-week stage-races
• Fragile personality? Seems like a level-headed bloke, but can't tell for sure until he gets real successful
• Cool sideburns and earrings? No
• Verdict: Why did I even consider him? Clearly a talented rider, but aside from being Basque, riding for Euskaltel and climbing alright, he's got nothing in common. And his time trialling is way too good to be classed 'The new Ibán'. Reminds me more of Samu to be honest. Watch this space.

Correction on Dunkerque roster

Contrary to what other sources said, Romain and Gorka Izagirre will NOT take part in the upcoming Quatre Jours de Dunkerque. Aitor Hernández and Daniel Sesma, both returning from injury, will take their places on the roster.

Euskaltel for Dunkerque

Euskaltel will take part in the always curiously-named Quatre Jours de Dunkerque starting this Wednesday. As usual the Four Days of Dunkerque will actually be five with the race ending on Sunday. Koldo, Aitor Galdós and recent winner Pablo Urtasun will all be there to form a powerful-looking trio for the sprint-finishes. So too will Gorka Izagirre, Romian, Rubén, Javier and Mikel Nieve. A strong team on paper, let's hope Koldo can kick-start his season with a win or two.

Igor pleased with form

Igor sounded surprisingly upbeat and happy after today's close shave in Romandie. Here's what 'Fuji' had to say: "The truth is I'm very pleased with my performances the last month. In Castilla y León I set myself the goal of winning on the Morredero, and in addition I finished second overall behind the best stage-race rider in the world. I came to the Classics to enjoy them and to get to know them. I'd never done them before. In Fléche I felt really good and I was fighting for the win, I was happy with my fourth place there. It's made me think that I can one day win the race. Liège was different, more tactical. I set out with the goal of finishing in the top 10 and I managed to do that. I was right in there and got seventh. And in Romandie it annoys me that there haven't been any summit finishes. Because on the climbs I felt really strong."

Igor misses out on the line

Igor came agonizingly close to a big win on today's last stage of the Tour de Romandie. Having shown to be among the very strongest, if not the strongest, on the day through some powerful attacks, Igor approached the '1 kilometre to go'-sign together with a lead group consisting of himself, Valverde, Menchov and Spilak. Knowing his chances would be close to zero in a dash for the line with Piti Valverde, Igor wisely gave it a last go with something like 700 metres to go. It looked to be the winning move, but the annoyingly good Valverde came back just in time to nip it on the line ahead of an obviously frustrated Igor. Losses like that are hard to take. I'm still pissed and it's been five hours. Wonder how Fuji's feeling... Anyway, great ride, of course. But second places are always hard to take. But thanks to his strong riding today, he ended up 10th overall. Not bad considering the race included a too long time trial for Igor's liking. Mikel Nieve was quite good today, coming home 36th at 6:03. Iñaki came in as number 65, a full 16:05 down, while JJ, Gorka and Alan were 70th, 71st and 72nd respectively, all 20:00 down. Final GC:

• 10, Igor Antón
• 42, Mikel Nieve
• 56, Juan José Oroz
• 57, Iñaki Isasi
• 58, Gorka Verdugo
• 69, Alan Pérez

Beñat third overall as Asturias ends

Beñat clung onto his place on the podium in today's concluding Vuelta a Asturias stage. The stage was of the 'very hilly' type, and as expected Beñat struggled to impose himself on the stage. Tino Zaballa (why can't these Puerto riders just bugger off?) escaped to win the stage and the overall, while Beñat did remarkably well to claim eighth place and hang onto a place on the podium, finishing a splendid third overall. Awesome! Romain was also in the mood today, finishing 20th after spending most of the day at the services of the young climber from Amorebieta. Sadly, Gorka, Javier and Jonathan all abandoned along with something like 30 others. That makes for the following final general classification:

• 3, Benat Intxausti
• 19, Romain Sicard
• 38, Jorge Azanza
• 53, Miguel Minguez

As for Orbea, Jon Izagirre was once again impressive with his 18th place on the stage just 2:51 down. Mikel Landa and Andoni Blázquez were both rather disappointing, finishing in 48th and 49th place respectively, both 16:36 down. All the other guys threw in the towel. That leaves us with Jon in 17th overall, Mikel Landa in 32nd place and Blázquez in 49th place.

Trio check out Tour cobbles

The trio of Samu, Egoi and JJ will travel to the north of France tomorrow to check out the cobbled sections that will feature in the Tour this year in stage three. The trio will test some equipment to get a feel of what's best as well as riding the exact course.

JJ active in Romandie

JJ Oroz put in yet another solid performance in yesterday's fourth stage of the Tour de Romandie. He got into the break of the day and attacked his breakaway companions with some 30 clicks to go. Sadly he couldn't stay away, but nonetheless a good try. Eventually he was reeled back in and had to do some work for Igor together with Gorka Verdugo. Igor came in with the main group of favourites, but the terrain was never challenging enough for Igor to put in a real dig. Perhaps today's stage will be better suited to him. Aitor Galdós threw in the towl today, but for what reason I don't know. Stage results:

• 11, Igor Antón, 0:22
• 32, Gorka Verdugo, 2:25
• 33, Juan José Oroz, s.t.
• 61, Iñaki Isasi, 5:39
• 62, Mikel Nieve, s.t.
• 97, Alan Pérez, 19:43
• 127, Koldo Fernández, 20:48

Beñat fails in Asturias defence

Beñat failed to hold on to his yellow leader's jersey in today's summit-finish stage in the Vuelta a Asturias. Euskaltel, not too wisely I think, spent all their forces and support riders in chasing down a big 15-man break that broke clear early on. In the break, to his credit, was the ever-aggressive Jorge Azanza. Euskaltel managed to reel in the break, but all riders except for Beñat were naturally spent and left him totally alone on the last climb. I like the fact that the team put in a concerted effort to chase down the break. Naturally. But how wise was it to use that amount of energy to chase down a rather non-dangerous looking break instead of keeping some forces left for the final and deciding climb? Not wise in my opinion. Colombian due Duarte and Cano jumped out of the lead group on the last climb to win by a big margin and take the leader's jersey off of Beñat, who still did quite well to grab third on the day beating riders like Mosquera and Vicioso in the process. He now trails Duarte by 19 seconds going into tomorrow's concluding hilly stage, and has by all probability lost the race overall. Not good. Not good at all by a Pro Tour team like Euskaltel in a lower-ranked race like the Vuelta a Asturias. Obviously the guys did all they could, that was obvious for all to see as they chased down the break, and in the end that's all you can demand, to give it your all. But still you have to demand a certain level of performance. A race-leader from a Pro Tour team shouldn't be left exposed on the last climb in a race like this. Stage results:

• 3rd, Beñat Intxausti, 1:10
• 35th, Jorge Azanza, 6:29
• 40th, Romain Sicard, 6:49
• 87th, Javier Aramendía, 23:15
• 89th, Gorka Izagirre, 24:14
• 90th, Jonathan Castroviejo, s.t.
• 91st, Miguel Minguez, s.t.

Narturgas ready for another weekend of races

The races are coming thick and fast for Naturgas these days. Today they will have taken part in local one-day race santikutz-Legazpi with a roster comprising of Jon Larriñaga, Aitor Ocampos, Mikel Bizkarra, Alberto Guinea, Rory Martinez, Fernando Grijalba and Urtzi Legarra. Stay tuned for results on Sunday. On Sunday a slightly different line-up consisting of Álex and Pello Bilbao, David Hidalgo, Igor Merino, Unai Martínez, Andoni Sánchez, Urtzi Legarra, Alfonso Saiz and Mikel Martioda will take on the prestigious (I've heard) Urraki Igoera-Azpeitia. Recent Tres Días de Álava stage-winner Carlos Barbero will not take part in either race as you can see, but look out for in-form riders Grijalba, Guinea, Bizkarra and Pello Bilbao.

"I'll always remember this day"

Beñat was clearly elated after taking his very first win in the pro ranks today. The precocious youngster had this to say afterwards: "I've always been good in the time trials, but one thing is to be good as an amateur, being good as a pro is a completely different thing. I've already done two good time trials this year with two fifth places in races of the level of the Critérium International and the Vuelta al País Vasco. I felt really good. The references I got from Castroviejo made me aware of what was to come at any given time, although the course wasn't really suited to me. But I still got a good time. To secure the lead in the overall has been a great joy. It's my first pro win and I'm very pleased. I'll always remember this day."

Beñat storms to ITT win and GC lead

Beñat took his very first win as a pro today in the Vuelta a Asturias to cap of an amazing April for the team. Beñat's resounding time trial win was Euskaltel's fifth of the month, and it was made even better by Jonathan Castroviejo's second place. Big ride from his as well, he's looking good in his first season with the team. The time trial distance was a rather short 14,3 kilometre trek in and around Piedras Blancas, but he still managed to win it by a big 17 seconds on number two Jonathan, and importantly 19 seconds ahead of GC danger-man Angel Vicioso. As a result he's four seconds ahead of Vicioso overall going in to tomorrow's mountain-top finish stage. The day's early road stage from Gijón to Avilés saw Gorka in the break, as usual, while Pablo grabbed a good 7th place in the dash for the line. Not bad. But the time trial performance was simply amazing. Beñat first, Jonathan second and Romain eighth. The future's looking bright. Let's hope Beñat can maintain his slender four-second lead tomorrow and as a result win the race overall. But it's far from a done deal mind you. Vicioso is looking superb these days and tomorrow's stage suit him perfectly. But it also suits Beñat, so hopefully he can keep Vicioso quiet. Here's the GC:

• 1, Benat Intxausti
• 27, Romain Sicard, 1:56
• 46, Jorge Azanza, 3:43
• 88, Javier Aramendía, 11:18
• 95, Jonathan Castroviejo, 13:17
• 96, Gorka Izagirre, 14:44
• 98, Miguel Minguez, 17:03