Briefs: Roubaix, Ugarte, Amorebieta

• In what is likely to delight quite a few fans, Euskaltel's website today reports Jon Izagirre will line up in Sunday's death march to Roubaix. The youngest of the Izagirres shone in Wevelgem before being pulled from the Vlaanderen-team in order to compete in the GP Miguel Induráin last week, but is now back in the fold to substantially bolster the team. Roster for Paris-Roubaix: Alán Pérez, Jon Izagirre, Ricardo García, Adrián Sáez, Pierre Cazaux, Rubén Pérez and Pablo Urtasun.
• Jaime Ugarte, president of the Vuelta al País Vasco's organizing committee, will leave his post after the race comes to a close tomorrow, Gara reports. His last wish? That Samuel Sánchez triumphs. Read the interview here.
• El Correo writes that Igor Antón will spearhead Euskaltel's challenge in Sunday's Klasika Primavera in Amorebieta. Samuel Sánchez may also, depending on how he feels, take the start. According to the organizers, this is the team DS Gerrikagoitia will put out: Romain Sicard, Gorka Izagirre, Mikel Landa, Iván Velasco, Amets Txurruka, Peio Bilbao, Victor Cabedo, Miguel Mínguez, Igor Antón and Mikel Nieve.

Samu closing in

Samu took advantage of the last climb of today's fifth and penultimate stage to put more time into his main rivals in the race for the GC. While he lost the stage in a tight mano-a-mano duel with Joaquím Rodríguez, he more importantly emerged as the odds-on favourite to take home the big prize tomorrow afternoon.

The unexpectedly tough finish to the stage paved the way for the GC aspirants to have a go at each other - and completely messed up my predictions for the race. Rodríguez and Sánchez were in a league of their own up the final climb, and the duo put paid to Kiserlovski's brave breakaway attempt that at one time threatened to turn the overall standing on it's head. The Astana rider headed into the stage in fourth place and with 4 kilometres to go held a 40-second advantage. One click later and he was reeled in by Samu and 'Purito'. The trio held off the chasing group behind and went on to sprint for the win in downtown Oñati. Purito somehow emerged victorious despite starting his sprint a long way out, beating the Euskaltel leader by few centimetres. Vasili Kiryienka brough home an elite four-man group five seconds later, while a slightly bigger group, involving the likes of Horner and Martin, crossed the line 23 seconds in arrears.

Watch how it all unfolded here.

Going into tomorrow's deciding 18,9km ITT in Oñati, Samu trails Rodríguez by nine seconds, while he holds a 17-second advantage over third-placed Kiserlovski, 26 seconds on Van den Broeck, 35 on Horner and 47 on Martin. What with Rodríguez's lack of pedigree in the discipline and the course's hilly nature, it's pretty much Samu's race to lose tomorrow. No wonder he was happy upon crossing the line.

"I'm very pleased with today's outcome", Samu said to www.fundacioneuskadi.com. "We succeeded in distancing some potentially big rivals ahead of tomorrow's decider. So far in this race we've got reason to be satisfied: we won the stage to Arrate, we've been in the overall lead and, importantly, the team as a whole have performed."

For an extensive photo gallery, click this link.

The time trial recorrido is widely thought to favour the strongest riders over the specialists, something which, on the back of his performances this week, bodes well for what's to come tomorrow. Samu refuses to get carried away though.

"It's a technical course, and it'll favour those with the most strength left in their legs after five days of racing rather than the specialists. I'll keep my feet on the ground though, as I know it'll be hard to come away with the victory. I've got strong rivals, so I hope to bring my a-game in order to secure a good result".

To read Samu and Igor Antón's take on the course, click here.

Despite holding the yellow jersey with only one day remaining, Rodríguez doesn't harbour hope of keeping it 'till the end. The amiable Katusha climber told reporters post-race that he'd like to see Samuel win the overall, and that he'd be happy simply to finish on the podium.

Considering the leader counts himself out of the running for the win, seventh-placed Van den Broeck (0:26 back), eight-placed Hesjedal (0:31 back) and tenth-placed Horner (0:35 back) look to be the men most likely to challenge the Olympic champion. They've all got quite a bit of catching up to do though, so it'll be fair to say this is Samu's best chance yet at taking the trophy home where it belongs.

Stage results:

• (1, Joaquím Rodríguez, Katusha)
• 2, Samuel Sánchez, s.t.
• 39, Egoi Martínez, 5:19
• 51, Gorka Verdugo, 6:35
• 73, Gorka Izagirre, 12:56
• 75, Jorge Azanza, 14:03
• 76, Igor Antón, s.t.
• 77, Mikel Astarloza, s.t.
• 104, Juan José Oroz, 18:44

General classification:

• (1, Joaquím Rodríguez, Katusha)
• 2, Samuel Sánchez, 0:09
• 49, Egoi Martínez, 17:51
• 61, Igor Antón, 23:13
• 64, Gorka Verdugo, 23:50
• 77, Gorka Izagirre, 30:11
• 91, Jorge Azanza, 37:44
• 106, Juan José Oroz, 46:07

Samu will set off at 16:43 tomorrow, two minutes ahead of leader Rodríguez. To access the complete start list for the time trial, click here.

For stage details, click here.

Image gallery from Arrate

Pictures marked with 'Zikliamatore' courtesy of Iñaki Azanza. Unmarked pictures taken by me.

Samu one step closer as main rivals stutter

Samuel Sánchez put what might prove to be vital seconds into his main rivals on today's fourth stage of the Vuelta al País Vasco. Samu was no match for Joaquim Rodríguez on the vicious slopes of the Ibardin and ceded the leader's jersey to the diminutive Katusha rider, but more importantly distanced the likes of Christopher Horner and Tony Martin with his impressive ride to second place.

'Purito' was in a class of his own on the mythical climb of the Ibardin, the climb making it's first appearance in the race for 18 years. While the first five kilometres didn't separate the main contenders, the final 1000 metres most certainty did. After the likes of Monfort and Poels had went for broke before subsequently being reeled back in, Rodríguez left the leading group for dead with an acceleration worthy of his reputation and soloed in nine seconds ahead of Samu. Sergion Henao completed the podium a further three seconds adrift, while Hesjedal came in 16 in arrears and Martin, Mollema and Horner 21. Samu thus holds a 12-second advantage on Martin and Horner heading into the last two stages.

"We have to keep our feet on the ground", Samu, ever modest, told the team's website after the stage. "We're taking it day by day. This climb separated the riders more than Arrate did, and ahead of the final two days we're ahead of where we were last year: we've won a stage, we've been in the leader's jersey and I'm second on GC. That's not too shabby. But, again, it's vital we remain calm".

While the lack of team-mates for Samu to lean on in the final five kilometres was noteworthy, DS Gorka Gerrikagoitia was pleased with his boys. After all, they had ridden ever so well for their captain over the 145 kilometres leading up to the climb.

"The team was marvelous, and Samu is, as usual, at a very high level of form. After yesterday's victory and today's results, the assessment is positive. We took control of the race today and Samu was right up there. We put some seconds into Horner, Martin, Hesjedal and the rest of the podium candidates as well. It was important to get a bit of an advantage."

Up tomorrow is a rather sprinter-friendly 183km trek from the site of today's finish, Bera, to Oñati. Changes to the GC are highly unlikely - a break is guaranteed to go the whole way.

Stage results:

• (1, Joaquim Rodríguez, Katusha)
• 2, Samuel Sánchez, 0:09
• 40, Egoi Martínez, 1:40
• 50, Mikel Astarloza, 2:59
• 85, Gorka Verdugo, 8:20
• 86, Igor Antón, s.t.
• 88, Gorka Izagirre, s.t.
• 93, Juan José Oroz, 9:09
• 122, Jorge Azanza, 14:46

General classification:

• (1, Joaquim Rodríguez, Katusha)
• 2, Samuel Sánchez, 0:09
• 54, Mikel Astarloza, 8:15
• 61, Igor Antón, 9:10
• 70, Egoi Martínez, 12:32
• 78, Gorka Izagirre, 17:15
• 79, Gorka Verdugo, s.t.
• 92, Jorge Azanza, 23:41
• 110, Juan José Oroz, 27:23

Samu is leading the points classification at present - a single point ahead of his friend and overall leader Rodríguez.

"We may be forced to sell riders"

President of la Fundación Euskadi and general manager of Euskaltel, Miguel Madariaga, has said the team might be forced into selling star riders to make up for budgetary shortcomings. In an excellent interview with Marca's Josu Garai, the founding father of the orange team elaborated on the dire state of his team.

"I'm still looking for the 550 000 euros we need to make ends this year", he said. "The outlook is good, but I'm yet to find sponsors willing to come up with that kind of money. The ones who back us now say they'll continue with their support, but they can't up it."

Marca: So why the optimism?

"I'm still waiting for some sponsors to get back to me. There's also a chance some foreign sponsors might be interested in the exposure we get in the three Grand Tours. As well we have four team buses we could sell. And there's one last option: getting rid of riders. It would be painful, but if there's no other alternative... We have five or six riders who attract a lot of interest from other teams."

Marca: Are you serious? Selling riders?

"Yes, for sure. I'm convinced we have many riders who might be worth a lot. Sicard, for example, is highly valued in France, but still has three years running on his contract with us."

With the team's future still up in the air, the riders could be forgiven for starting to look for jobs elsewhere pretty soon. Madariaga admits the riders are starting to get nervous, but informs the riders have agreed to wait at least for another month.

"I met with all the riders on Monday. Samuel Sánchez wondered what was happening with the team, and I get that. I told them all that by the end of April they will know more about the direction this team is taking for next year. Samu, speaking on behalf of his team-mates, said that sounded reasonable. For now I've asked them to concentrate on the Vuelta and the upcoming classics. This is an important month for us."

Rumous have been circulating in the media the last few months that telephone company Euskaltel is likely to continue to back the team - but that the team is likely to look a lot different next year. Abandoning the Basque-only policy that's forever defined the team has been touted as a possibility, but the head of the team, quite extraordinarily, seems to know close to nothing about where his brainchild is heading.

"We don't know what'll happen in 2013, but we're okay and calm. Rumour has it that a new project might be in place for next season."

Marca: "Rumour has it that a new project might be in place"? Aren't you the head of this team?

"No one has told me anything at this point in time. But the Fundación, with the cuts we've been forced to take in 2011 and 2012, obviously can't keep bankrolling the team."

Marca: How can it be they're planning a new team without you involved?

"I know almost nothing about this new project they're talking about. But I've heard from a reliable source that Euskaltel, along with some other backers, might fund it".

Madariaga is set to leave the helm after the current season. There's been a lot of highs over the years, but there's one special moment he cherishes the most - and it doesn't involve the likes of Antón, Samu, Mayo or Zubeldia.

"I'll always remember the stage Agustín Sagasti won in the Vuelta al País Vasco in Azpeitia (1994). It was our very first win. No one believed in us, but since then the fans have counted on us."

Samu bags Arrate hat-trick

Samuel Sánchez followed the script and secured his third consecutive win on the mythical Arrate earlier today. As well as taking out the Vuelta al País Vasco's queen-stage, he also assumed control of the leader's jersey.

Like there was ever going to be a different winner. Samu has triumphed on the same mountain the past two years, had looked in ominous form in the lead-up to the race and would equal the legendary Federico Bahamontes' record of three wins on the climb if he was to pull off another victory. Logically, the air of inevitability about the outcome of the stage was therefore palpable when Samu crested the Arrate in the company of Joaquin Rodríguez and Chris Horner, ready to embark on the 2500-metres long descent to the finish line. To the delirium of the huge crowds that lined the vicious slopes on the Arrate, Samu duly delivered and won the sprint for the victory ahead of Purito and Horner. He thus inherits JJ Rojas' yellow jersey of overall leader - if only just. He's tied on time with his two rivals, whilst the following 16 are all at a mere 16 seconds. It's all set up for quite the show on the road to the unknown climb of the Ibardin tomorrow.

It was everything but a one-man show though. Euskaltel, naturally laden with responsibility what with País Vasco being the team's home race and this stage Samu's favourite playground, controlled affairs from the front of the peloton, making sure the break of the day didn't get too big a gap and setting it up for their leader on the second and last time up the Arrate.

Some three clicks from the top, Horner and Rodríguez went for broke. Samu eventually joined them at the cabeza de carrera, or the lastarketa burua as it's called in Basque, before easily outsprinting the duo to claim the team's second win of the season.

Post-stage, a visibly delighted Olympic champion was only too keen to praise his team-mates' efforts.

"My companions, today and throughout this race, have been phenomenal", he told the team's website after descending from the podium. "We really did prepare well."

Samu admitted winning in Eibar for the third time was something 'special' - but did not believe it was going to happen before it actually did.

"It is special to win here. Of all the climbs we have in Euskadi, Arrate is surely the nicest one and the most represented one. But if you'd told me before the stage that I'd win, I wouldn't have believed you".

Up tomorrow is stage four to Ibardin - the second and final summit finish of the race.

To watch how it all unfolded, click this link that'll take you to a 40-minute Youtube video.

Stage result:

• 1, Samuel Sánchez, 3:58:15
• 26, Igor Antón, 0:50
• 67, Mikel Astarloza, 5:16
• 90, Egoi Martínez, 8:55
• 91, Gorka Verdugo, s.t.
• 92, Jorge Azanza, s.t.
• 93, Gorka Izagirre, s.t.
• 117, Juan José Oroz, 16:17

General classification:

• 1, Samuel Sánchez, 12:06:06
• 24, Igor Antón, 0:50
• 66, Mikel Astarloza, 5:16
• 82, Gorka Izagirre, 8:55
• 83, Gorka Verdugo, s.t.
• 84, Jorge Azanza, s.t.
• 90, Egoi Martínez, 10:52
• 117, Juan José Oroz, 18:14

VPV stage 2

Just like on day one yesterday, Euskaltel did the dirty work at the head of the peloton and kept Samu sheltered from the wind throughout today's second stage from Güeñes to Vitoria.

Other than that, not much to report. GreenEdge went one-two as Impey triumphed ahead of Allan Davis - who resides in the Basque Country - after the day's five-man break had been caught by the pack. Samu cruised home in 15th, and thus advanced to 12th on GC, while Gorka Izagirre is in fact the team's highest placed rider overall in 11th. Everyone bar Martínez and Oroz, who both came in 1:57 in arrears, finished inside the main peloton.

The likes of Gesink, D Martin and Nocentini ceded at least two minutes and joins Klöden, who dropped five minutes yesterday, on the list of pre-race favourites who are now out of contention even before the real climbing is set to start. Samu's rivals for the top step of the podium now seems to be Horner, Schleck, Purito and Van den Broeck - and they're likely to duke it out between them on the slopes of the feared Arrate tomorrow.

Speaking of Arrate, Samu can equal Federico Bahamontes record of three wins on the climb in Eibar if he repeats the triumph of the last two years tomorrow afternoon. Speaking to the team's website after today's stage, Samu wasn't getting ahead of himself though.

"Our goal is to animate the race", he said modestly. "Our obligation and desire is to do well. We all want a win, but winning is going to be tough, so it's important we appreciate the work we do no matter the outcome."

VPV stage 1

Euskaltel came through today's Vuelta al País Vasco opener unscathed and with Samu's overall aspirations intact.

The first 154km leg starting and ending in Güeñes saw a duo, Caja Rural's David de la Fuente and Utensilnord-Named's Davide Mucelli, jump clear after only 15 kilometres, before, inevitably, being caught by an Euskaltel-marshalled peloton 14 clicks out. The guys in orange kept proceedings under control and the breakaway duo on a tight leash throughout, and managed to get all eight in with the pack on the same time as sprint winner JJ Rojas. Gorka Izagirre, who'd earlier seen a late-race move cancelled out, tried his hand in the sprint and came away with a creditable eighth.

Speaking post-stage, Samu had this to say to the team's website:

"It was a nervous stage, so getting through it is what's important. There's always tension in the first stage of a race like Vuelta al País Vasco, but the team did a great job in controlling affairs. They took command of the peloton and protected me expertly.

Tomorrow's stage is also likely to be decided in a sprint. It'll be more of the same, but the team did well today and that gives me a piece of mind".

"Ibán set the bar high for me"

Samuel Sánchez will once again line up in the Vuelta al País Vasco as one of the main contenders today. While overall glory has famously eluded Samu in the team's home race, the same can be said of Euskaltel. Not since Ibán Mayo cantered to the top step of the podium almost nine years ago have a rider in the orange jersey triumphed. Sánchez finished third back then, and recalled what he calls 'a special moment in the history of this team' when he talked to Deia yesterday.

"We turned the race around on the last day", he said of the day Ibán won both the road race in the morning and then the time trial in the evening. "It was one of the most special moments in the team's history. Ibán Mayo set the bar high with his win".

Samu has finished on the podium three times, taken five stages and a tenth overall from his very first participation is to date his worst performance. So what's kept him from triumphing in a race seemingly tailor-made for a rider of his characteristics?

"There's only one reason I haven't won it yet", he said. "It's because of the quality of the competition. It's a very hard race to win".

Samu has made changes to his usual early-season calendar this year, and embarks on País Vasco fresh off a stage win and second overall in the Volta a Catalunya. His DS, Gorka Gerrikagoitia, believes the change in schedule has paid dividends - and says Samu is in top shape.

"This year he's not in good shape - he's in very, very good shape! He's dropped Paris-Nice and Critérium International in favour of the Vuelta a Andalucía, Vuelta a Murcia and the Volta this season, and I think it's been good for him."

Naturgas weekend round-up

Naturgas Energía didn't quite succeed in animating the big race on Sunday, the Memorial Balenciaga in Eibar. None of the red team's riders got into any meaningful break, and Víctor Etxeberria was their top finisher in 40th place.

24-year-old Eduard Prades of Mopesa took a commanding solo win to show that he might still have what it takes to cut it the top table. Prades was formerly of pro team Andorra-Grandvalira, but has, in spite of several impressive results the last couple of years, not found a way back into the professional ranks. Second was Mopesa team-mate and track specialist Airán Fernández, while Azysa's 23-year-old Borja Abasolo grabbed the final step on the podium.

Young Basque Markel Antón of Bidelan secured his team a top result with a strong seventh place.

Naturgas results:

• (1, Eduard Prades, Mopesa)
• 40, Victor Etxeberria
• 112, Pablo Comins
• 121, Jon Larrinaga

In Sunday's other event, the Torneo Lehendakari-race Premio Primavera de Amorebieta, Naturgas were more to the fore. Alain González grabbed his best ever result in Naturgas' colours by finishing a lofty third, on the same time as winner Miguel Angel Benito of Caja Rural. González has, together with the likes of Loic Chetout and Jon Larrinaga, taken big steps this season compared to last, and is quickly becoming an important part of the team. Imanol Estévez came home 14th, while Alain Santamaría was 35th and Oier Sánchez 48th.

Bilbao breaks away in Flanders

Peio Bilbao proved he's more than just a pure climber by forming part of the Ronde van Vlaanderen's main break earlier today. The young Gernika-native jumped clear early on along with 14 other riders and toughed it out on a terrain he's not seemingly made for, judging by his slender physique. The group held off the peloton 'till 35 kilometres remained, and the youngster eventually went on to finish 92nd at 15:34.

The team's only other finished was not unexpectedly Rubén Pérez. The speedy all-rounder came in a decent 62nd at just 4:43.

The other six riders - García, Minguez, Cazaux, Urtasun, Sáez and A Pérez - all threw in the towel before reaching Oudenaarde.

"I'm aiming for Arrate and Ibardin"

For once, Euskaltel will field both their two captains in their home race. Samuel Sánchez and Igor Antón have vastly different targets in the Vuelta al País Vasco though: while Samu will be aiming for that elusive overall title, the climber from Galdakao will be going for stage wins. Antón has earmarked two particular stages in which he'll aim to be in the front.

"I'll see what I can do on Arrate (Wednesday) and on the Ibardin (Thursday). I'll try to be active in this race, and if Samu needs any help in the fight for the overall I'll be glad to aid him", he told Deia.

Despite highlighting the two summit finishes, Antón is adamant that there is no one key stage in this unusually mountainous edition of the Itzulia.

"It'll be vital to not have an off-day. And, of course, do well in the closing-day time trial in Oñati. If you're going well on the last day, you might have something to say about the final outcome. As for the stages to Vitoria (Tuesday) and Oñati (Friday), they might well come down to sprints."

Speaking of his own form, the likeable 29-year-old was quietly optimistic.

"I'm feeling good. I've been working hard and, although that's no guarantee for results, I'm improving. In the Vuelta a Andalucía I finished inside the top ten a couple of days, and in the Critérium International I finished up seventh on GC. The Vuelta al País Vasco is not my big goal this year, but I'll still leave it all on the road."

VPV and Clásica receive vital support

Things are on the up for the organizers of the Vuelta al País Vasco and the Clásica San Sebastián these days. Just weeks after banking group Sabadell Guipuzcoano stepped in to save the race from extinction and secure its future, the provincial council of Gipuzkoa has announced they'll keep sponsoring the event 'till 2014.

The Vuelta al País Vasco starts tomorrow, so the news could hardly have come at a better time. The provincial council has prolonged the deal they signed back in 2008, and will have their name on the 'Metas Volantes'-banners and on banners inside the last few kilometres in each event. Each race will receive 70 000 euros per year, meaning 420 000 euros will be in the bank of the organizers by the time 2014 comes along.

Jaime Ugarte, president of the Organizaciones Ciclistas Euskadi (the company responsible for putting on the race), was pleased when speaking to El Diario Vasco yesterday.

"We're very grateful for their support, and they'll see that through publicity on the road."

Team for Vuelta al País Vasco

Euskaltel's final eight-man squad for the Vuelta al País Vasco is finally here. Romain Sicard misses out on the race from the long-team revealed earlier this month, while there is also no place for hotshot Jon Izagirre.

Full team: Igor Antón, Mikel Astarloza, Jorge Azanza, Gorka Izagirre, Egoi Martínez, Juan José Oroz, Samuel Sánchez, Gorka Verdugo.

For full list of participating teams and riders, click here.

The six-stage race kicks off on Monday in Güeñes.