Galdeano's verdict

Euskaltel head Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano spoke to DEIA yesterday about each and every rider on the Tour team. Here's his valuation:

• Haimar Zubeldia: I know he's going to do well after his performance in the Dauphiné. We've always wanted him to be a bit more aggressive. If he can become that, he'll be a great rider.
• Mikel Astarloza: He's a rider we really trust. We have confidence in him, and we all think he has the potential to be among the very best. We hope he can transform that potential to results while he's with us.
• Samuel Sánchez: He's the one who sets the standard in the team. His whole season has been centred around the Tour, so I hope the Tour will work out for him this year. I hope that he'll win a stage, and if that happens, we'll take it from there.
• Iñaki Isasi: He's got the experience. He's done the Tour several times already, so he'll have to share his knowledge and know-how with the rest of the guys. He'll have to help out the captains and, hopefully, use his end-speed to win a stage from a small breakaway.
• Egoi Martínez: He's the man for the breakaways on tough and hilly terrain. That'll be his mission. He'll also be one to go into important breaks to help the team out. If he gets into one of those breaks, we hope he'll be able to give us that stage-win.
• Gorka Verdugo: His objectives are similar to those of Egoi's. He's improved as a rider this year. If he's able to be a bit more aggressive and self-confident, he'll be a very good rider for us.
• Amets Txurruka: He brings youth to the team. He represents the image of the team; effort and aggressiveness. I'm very confident in him when it comes to the breaks, and I believe he's capable of winning the "Most aggressive rider"-prize again.
• Rubén Pérez: He is, perhaps, the youngest and best rider we have for the breaks. He's improving and I think that, just like last year, he'll prove valuable to Haimar, Mikel and Samuel.
• Juan José Oroz: He's the newcomer and has earned the right to ride the Tour de France. He was the only Basque rider to finish each and every Classic this spring and, eventhough he hasn't done the Tour before, has the sufficient experience to do a good race. He's a team-rider.