Aketza aiming high

Aketza Peña is, as previously reported, putting all his energy and focus into cyclo-cross this winter. Speaking to DEIA, he revealed his ambitions: "I haven't got any special objectives. I'll take it day by day, race by race. We'll see what happens. Though, I'd love to do well in the Campeonato de Euskadi and in the Spanish Championships. In addition, it would be a dream to ride in Igorre (Ibán's birth-place and the home of a World Cup cyclo-cross race). That's a top-level event and so close to home. The race in Asteasu is also attractive." All in all he'll take part in some 30 races, among them the Spiuk de Euskadi, the Copa Cántabra, the Copa de España,and of course the Campeonato de España. Asked about potentially taking part in the World Championships, Aketza pleaded for patience: "I need to gain experience first. There is quality opposition every Sunday. I haven't thought of the possibility of taking part in the Worlds but, if that was to happen, it would be a big bonus. Though, it's too early to talk about it". Aketza will likely come up against another former Euskaltel rider this year, Beñat Albizuri.

Galdeano educating

First things first: my apologies for failing to update the blog yesterday. I was simply too disgusted to write anything after watching Arsenal last night. I was so gutted all I wanted to do was to dig a hole and jump into it. That hole ended up being my bed, but, anyway, nothing was written. I'll put that right now.

Igor González de Galdeano will, from tomorrow off 'till the 8th of Novembre, take part in an education program for coaches. The Curso nacional de entrenadores, as it's called, will take place in Granada and will also see Euskaltel riders Mikel Astarloza and Andoni Lafuente take part. Galdeano has taken on the role of sports director for the coming season, and this program will make him able to do just that.

Salvador jumps ships

Euskaltel and Orbea doctor Eduardo Salvador González was today unveiled as Caisse d'Epargne's new team doctor. Salvador cut short his stay with the team this year, and is now taking on a job with one of Euskaltel's biggest rivals. Why he chose to leave his post at Euskaltel I don't know, maybe he was just looking for a new challenge.

Quote of the day

Miguel Madariaga puts the record straight (2004): "Euskaltel-Euskadi is much more than a sports team, it's an identity".

Samu: "2009 Tour will be tough"

Like almost every other rider, Samu has given a rather dull assessment of the 2009 Tour de France parcours. The words "hard" and "difficult" are usually the most frequently used when riders are to describe the Tour, and Samu is no exception. Here's what he had to say: "ASO want to create passion and to put on a show, because the leader's jersey can change shoulders from day to day. It looks like a very hard Tour to me, and the last week will be for the stage-race specialists because of the tough Alps and the Mont Ventoux." He further stated that he hadn't planned next season yet, because it had been impossible due to all his post-Olympic engagements. Right now he just wanted to "rest and disconnect".

Euskaltel ready for Fiesta

No, not a party, the Fiesta de la Bici. Well, it's sort of a party. Hundreds of kids get to ride alongside their heroes in a 41,2-kilometre road race or in a 12,2-kilometre mountain bike race. The smallest kids will get to ride 7 kilometres. Most of the Euskaltel, Orbea and Naturgas Energía riders will be present, as well as Alberto Contador. Samu will also draw crowds to the event in Derio. The celebration will take place this coming Sunday.

No Giro in 2009 for Euskaltel

According to trustworthy Basque daily el Diario Vasco, the team will not compete in next year's Giro d'Italia. The reduction in riders from 26 to 22 will also mean a reduction in races. The Giro, along with the Tour Down Under, the Tour de Pologne, and of course the cancelled Deutschland Tour, will not not see Euskaltel at the start-line. Thank God is all I'm going to say. It was, really, about time the Giro got off the team's calendar.

Euskaltel ready

Euskaltel Euskadi will start next season with 22 riders. That's a fact, as the team's official website decleared yesterday. That effectively means that no more riders will be forced to head for the exit doors, but sadly it means that no one, except for Urtasun and Nieve of course, will be welcomed in to the fold. I'd been hoping that Gaztañaga, Castroviejo, Herrero, perhaps Izagirre and Intxausti, could make the move to join the team, but apparently they won't. I really can't see why guys like Castroviejo and Gorka Izagirre aren't joining, but I guess Galdeano & co. know what they're doing.

Iñigo inks new deal

Iñigo has finally put pen to paper on a new deal with the team. The negotiations had been dragging on for quite a while, but there were never any real fears that he'd leave the team. His new contract is only for a year though, but hopefully he'll stay beyond that as well.

Holding out for Guerrero

Jon Bru and Dioni Galparsoro have still not given up hope on finding a team for the 2009 season. Both riders came over from Kaiku two years ago, but now they're both left on the street after their deals with the team expired. They're holding out for Óscar Guerrero, their famous amiable sports director at Kaiku, to put together a team in time for next year. "He treated me well", Dioni said. "I know he's trying to put together a team, and if he's successful I'll be happy. But I haven't talked about it with him yet. I've been occupied by other things, and I have a representative who'll let me know if something happens." "Óscar is trying to put together something", Jon said, "but I don't know a lot about it. I'm hoping though. I spoke to my old team, Pecol, which is now called Liberty, but they had no place for me in the team." Guerrero has done the impossible earlier, so I'm hoping he can pull it off once again.

Quote of the day

Jesus Losa (Euskaltel's infamous team doctor up until 2004): "Ibán Mayo is not a pure climber". Good one, Jesus, good one.

Lander lands Etxe-Ondo job

Lander Aperribay has announced he's retired from the sport all together after his two-year stay with the team wasn't extended this year. The 26-year-old showed glimpses of what he was worth during his stay, but generally struggled to make a name for himself in the bigger races. He's now working in the commercial department of Euskaltel's top-end clothing apparel-supplier Etxe-Ondo, while also holding spinning-classes at two different gyms. Even though his stay at Euskaltel was rather short, he holds no grudges towards the team. "For me it was a fulfilment of a dream (to ride in Euskaltel's colours)," he said. "There were good and bad times, but generally it was good. My handicap was my age. I've always been behind schedule and that was a disadvantage. Being 26 or 22 in your second year as a pro is not the same thing. If you're 22 you're more relaxed. At 26 it's time to perform. I improved every year, but I had to improve faster if I was to stand a chance." He also dismissed talks of a comeback: "I don't want to start riding again. I've done my best. I've always wanted to improve, but the results simply didn't. I'll start working at Etxe-Ondo as of January the 1st. I'll ride my bike when I want to and when it doesn't rain. I'll be able to do all the things I couldn't do the last 15 years. Though, cycling was my hobby and it will always stay that way". Well said.

Beñat not happy

Beñat Albizuri did not get his stay with Euskaltel extended this year and is forced to look for another job. He isn't happy; rather the contrary. Speaking to GARA he said: "I'm grateful for the opportunity they (Euskaltel) gave me to become a professional rider. But once I joined the team they never valued my contribution. I've been a brave rider, I've done my best for the team, I've gotten into many breaks, I've helped Koldo out in the sprints. But still they haven't appreciated my work. Not every cyclist can win, but from the first to the last day I've done the dirty work, and I think I've done it well." Self-pitty isn't always beautiful, is it? But then again I kind of agree with him, a bit at least. I for one rated Beñat. I think he did well leading out Koldo, and he was good at getting into breaks. But then he was never going to win many races either, so I wasn't overly surprised when he didn't get an extension to his existing contract. As for the future, he's now looking to hit the big-time in cyclo-cross. "I've always wanted to do it (competing in the discipline). I'm a rider with good technique and spark, and people told me many years ago that I could do well in 'cross. Now I have the time and the opportunity, so I'll do my best. I started training this week, and I hope to get into good shape soon. I'm very motivated, and I know that now it's up to me. There won't be a team to stop me. My representative is looking for a team, but it's hard."

Odriozola: "I'd love to return"

In a surprising turn of events, newly-departed sports director Jon Odriozola has stated he'd love to one day come back to the team. Jon and Euskaltel parted ways after two years due to contractual disagreements. Both parties wanted to extend the cooperation, but it wasn't to be. "First I want to say that it's been two very positive years for me. I've learned a lot, I've reached my personal goals, the team have done well, and the team have obtained the personality and identity I wanted it to. As a Basque I'd love to stay on with the team, a team I completely identify myself with. It's been an honour. It's the ultimate dream for every Basque sports director to be able to direct his local team. I'd love to return one day. But sadly we couldn't reach an agreement. I'd like to keep the bussinesside of the negotiations secret". Odriozola also had praise for the fans: "I feel we have the best fans in the world. I've experienced the love of our fans, and that love can't be measure in money or anything else. It's been an enormous satisfaction. But I've ended up on the loosing side. I've left my team and got no job. It's been hard", he admitted. "Cycling is not a job. It's a passion, it's my life." Asked whether he would one day like to come back, he said: "Everything can happen in this world." I don't know what to make of this whole situation. Both Euskaltel and Jon wanted to extend the stay, but somehow it didn't work out. Reminds me of the Garate situation...