Saturday, October 27, 2012

Cazaux learnt of release "through the press"
















Despite showing promising signs of form in the late-season, Pierre Cazaux was one of four riders to not get his contract prolonged after the season. Contrary to the other three though, he's yet to find an employer for 2013. Amets Txurruka and Iván Velasco have both put pen to paper on deals with Caja Rural, while Alan Pérez has of course quit his professional cycling career. He had offers from top French teams though, but declined them thinking he was safe in orange.

"I like this team. There's a good spirit here", he told French newspaper Sud Ouest after completing the Giro d'Italia in the spring. "I help my leaders, and sometimes I get a free card to play".

Thinking he was a trusted member of the team since he hadn't heard otherwise, the 28-year-old said "thanks, but no thanks" to former employer Francaise des Jeux and Cofidis in the summer. He was forced to regret that decision though, as he soon learnt through reports in the press that he didn't figure in the team's plans. The reason? No UCI points.

Thierry Elissalde, who was the first Frenchman ever on Euskaltel and spent his only two professional years with the team, is currently keeping watch on the French-Basque youth scene for the Fundación Euskadi Ciclista, and appears to be distraught by the team's new direction.

"A page turns, but also a book closes", he stated philosophically to the same paper. "Euskaltel represented the dream of turning pro for the people here. That was the case for Romain Sicard and Pierre Cazaux. Romain is staying, but Pierre didn't deserve to be ousted the way he was".

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