Euskaltel on the attack in the Pyrenees

The team put on a great show in the Vuelta's first summit-finish stage yesterday. Iñigo got into the break of the day, along with fellow strong-men Zandio, Ballan, De Maar and Meersman. The quintet quickly established a big gap, something which made me dream of a stage-win for Iñigo. On paper, and judging by form, Zandio and Iñigo should easily have been the strongest yesterday. Yet, somehow, they were the first two to get dropped. I have no explanation for it, as it should have been the other way around. Classics men Meersman and Ballan, and all-rounder De Maar, I expected, would go right through the back once the climbing started. It didn't happen though, and we got to witness something very special indeed; Ballan winning a mountain-stage in the Vuelta. How he pulled that off I don't now, but it's close to the weirdest thing, except for Sella's adventures in the Dolomites earlier this year, I've ever seen in this sport. But enough about Ballan's ride... Amets and Egoi also looked lively and in good form, as they attacked the pack up the Rabassa. None of them managed to get away though, but it indicates their form is good. Igor looked awesome coming in with the favourites, and is now 9th overall. I can't wait for today's stage; Igor might just pull it off today I think. Stage 7 results:

• 6th, Igor Antón, 2:50
• 21st, Egoi Martínez, 3:48
• 40th, Amets Txurruka, 9:37
• 46th, Iñigo Landaluze, 9:59
• 65th, Mikel Astarloza, 17:12
• 66th, Rubén Pérez, s.t.
• 67th, Iván Velasco, s.t.
• 106th, Alán Perez, 29:55
• 122nd, Koldo Fernández, s.t.