Isasi reflects on Mallorca experience

By all accounts, the 2012 Challenge Mallorca wasn't all that great for Euskaltel. The team failed to register a result or animate the racing the first three days, the fourth day was called off and, to make matters worse, Gorka Verdugo injured himself while out training earlier today. DS at the race, Iñaki Isasi, admitted things could have gone better for his charges.

"This year's race wasn't too kind on us", the former sprinter told the team's website. "And Gorka's fall today was very unlucky. We knew the first couple of days weren't really suited to us. Pablo (Urtasun) wasn't at his best and, to be honest, wasn't very lucky either. Astarloza, Sicard and Gorka (Izagirre) all attacked full-on, but it really wasn't our terrain. The Trofeo Deiá was more like it terrain-wise for us to be near the front and to fight for top results. But we didn't really pay attention and got off to a bad start. We managed to turn the situation around, but in the decisive monents there were riders stronger than us and there wasn't much we could do."

Isasi further explained how today's race would be a nice occasion for the team's climbers to impose themselves, but sadly the race was cancelled due to heavy snowfall.

"Today's stage would have been good for us. And after what happened yesterday, we were aware we had to pay more attention. The course would have shown where riders like Antón, Bilbao and Landa are at form-wise, but it wasn't to be."