Sign 'em!

We all know Euskaltel need new faces it they are to take a step up in quality. Even though Euskaltel is the Basque National Team of sorts, there are plenty of quality Basque riders getting their wages with other teams. I know Madariaga has stated that, except for Nieve and Castroviejo, no one else will join the team this year, so this isn't really a very realistic article I'm afraid. But this is my opionion on established, professional riders the team, regardless of wage demands and past history with the team, should bring in: (And, by the way, I'd love to hear your views on the matter)

• David Herrero: Obvious isn't it? He's way too good for a Pro Conti team. He won something like 10 races when with the team earlier, and it was a big, big mistake to let him go. He's incredibly talented; he's won mass-sprints, time trials and on mountain-tops. Still young, still Basque, and knows how to win a bike race; fits the bill perfectly. He's stated his desire to rejoin the team. Euskaltel should pounce on the possibility to resign him. Allegedly discussions over a prolongation to his contract two years ago stalled due to financial reasons and due to the "new code of ethics" within the team (including how to behave publicly, when to give interviews, what you're allowed to say etc.) Euskaltel need him badly.
• Beñat Intxausti: Makes me sad to see the biggest Basque talent ride with a non-Basque team. Scott-American Beef is a mess right now, so Beñat might, I reckon, actually join the team if the opportunity to do so was presented to him. I'd love to see him in orange. He reminds me of Ibán. He climbs like a God, but hasn't gotten the opportunity to shine with Scott this year. To get him would be a big boost to the team. He's a guarantee for future success.
• Arkaitz Durán: Big, big talent. Probably bigger than most people know. He's still very young, and he's got the potential to one day win a GT. I'm serious. He's performed well below what was expected of him when he turned pro five years ago, so a change in surroundings might do him good. Though, I would say, Euskaltel isn't the best place for young talent to develop, but everything than Scott-American Beef I'd say.
• Mikel Gaztañaga: A good sprinter who can win a race or three a year. More importantly though, he could act as Koldo's much-needed lead-out man. He'd be a solid reinforcement to the team. He has, like Herrero, stated his desire to one day ride for his home team, and it's high time he gets the opportunity. Together with Koldo and Aitor Galdos he'd form an excellent trio. He's riding with Agritubel, and would cetainly jump at the opportunity to ride all the Spanish races and stay in Spain. He'd be a good signing.
• Juan Manuel Garate: I've wanted him to join the team for years. I almost threw my laptop out the window when I read that Euskaltel didn't offer him more than a one-year contract last year. He required a two-year deal, but as he didn't get it he signed an extension to his contract with Quick.Step. Bravo Euskaltel! There you go! One of the very best Basque riders out there wanted to join you, and now he's with a Belgian squad. That's impressive. I don't know what kind of wages he demanded, so Euskaltel might have had their reasons not to hire him, but he'd lift the team to another level. Not signing him was a catastrophy.
• David López García: Why Euskaltel let him go is a mystery to me. Madariaga has stated that it should never have happened. He's a great climber and would add some much-needed firepower to the team. He's capable of winning hilly races, and is the kind of rider the team need so badly. Resign him please.
• Imanol Erviti: A great talent. Could develop into a good time triallist. Of course, he just won a stage in the Vuelta, and that's impressive, but that's got little do with it. He's always been a huge talent, but he hasn't really turned his talent into performances for Caisse (until his stage-win the other day that is). He's young as well, and has never been suspected of doping or anything like that, so he'd fit the bill.
• Iker Camaño: Quality rider, wasn't given the chance to shine he so thouroughly deserved whilst with the team. A Verdugo-type of rider. Would bring experience to an otherwise inexperience team. Has the quality to get into the top 10 in stage-races.
• Other riders that I'd like to see riding for Euskaltel: Arrieta, Garcia Acosta, Bingen Fernández, Aitor Pérez Arrieta (I know they're all getting quite old, but still they'd bring quality).