Iban in yellow

Here`s some pics of the still unfamiliar sight of Iban in a Saunier Duval jersey:

Euskaltel awards 2006

• Best rider: Samuel Sanchez


• Most-improved rider: Igor Antón


• Best climber: Haimar Zubeldia


• Best sprinter: Koldo Fernandez


• Best TTer: Samuel Sanchez


• Most inconsistent rider: Iban Mayo


• Best GT rider: Haimar Zubeldia


• Best classic rider: Samuel Sanchez


• Most hard-working: Iñaki Isasi


• Best "breakawayer": Iñigo Landaluze


• Most unlucky: Roberto Laiseka


• Most consistent rider: Haimar Zubeldia

Iban: a pure climber

The days of Federico Bahamontes, Charly Gaul, Lucien Van Impe, Chaba Jimenez, Marco Pantani, just to name a few, were the days of the pure climbers. The riders that could take you out of your seat with their stunning accelerations over and over again, the riders that would win on any mountain top, the riders that made cycling such an incredible sport to watch. Now, well into the 21st century, I start to wonder where they`ve all gone.

A "pure climber" needs to have all the qualities mentioned above, as well as not being too good on the flats or on the small hills. There used to be many more of them earlier, but in the last 10 years the number has steadily decreased. Now, there`s only a handful of them left in the peloton I reckon. Leonardo Piepoli of Saunier, Michael Rasmussen of Rabobank, José Rujano of Unibet, Gilberto Simoni of Saunier, and in my opinion, our very own Iban Mayo. These are the riders capable of producing the most stunning performances in the mountains. These are the riders that make cycling such a spectacle when a race reaches the mountains. But why don`t they shine as often as the previous climbers did? After all, Rasmussen, Piepoli, Simoni, Rujano and Iban don`t win 10 races a year; only a couple in fact. There are numerous reasons for this as I see it; doping has brought the sprinters, rouleurs and TTists closer to the mountain goats. Fewer mountain fests in the GTs than ever must certainly be taken into consideration. But probably the biggest reason is that the overall contenders in GTs have got an entire team to ride for them, so that the speed on the flats are much higher than they used to be, something that makes the climbers much more exhausted than the overall contenders come the mountains. This weren`t the case in the 80s or early 90s, when the climbers excelled and took the spectators by storm. Cycling has become much more of a tactical game than a the-strongest-man-wins game. That`s a shame, as there`s not many more beautiful sights than seeing Iban, Leonardo, Gilberto and the rest dancing their way up a steep ascent, hoping to one day touch the sky.

New Euskaltel logo

This is the new-look Euskaltel logo, for those of you who haven`t seen it. Nice-looking, don`t you think?

Iban did the right thing

According to 68% of the voters on the poll titled "From Euskaltel to Saunier; smart move?", Iban did the smartest thing. The controversial move to Saunier has caused a lot of debate in the cycling world, but apparently you Iban Mayo Blog readers thought moving to pastures new was wise. 68% voted "yes", while 32% voted "no".

Iban interview

On the brilliant cycling page Ainara Photo, you can read an interview with Iban. He talks of his move from Euskaltel, next year`s calendar, his ambitions etc. Click and read: http://www.ainaraphoto.com/entrevistas/entrevista_9.htm

Wind-tunnel testing for Iban

Iban will, like Igor, Samu and Haimar, probably head over to the States for wind-tunnel testing in late February, reports Diario Vasco. Saunier Duval head "Matxin" wants Iban and David Millar to improve against the clock, something that wouldn`t be a too bad idea, as the "race of truth" has always been Iban`s nemesis. San Diego is the likely destination.

Igor, Samu and Haimar head for San Diego

Euskaltel riders Igor Antón, Samuel Sánchez and Haimar Zubeldia will as planned head for wind-tunnel testing in San Diego on Saturday the 6th of January. The trip to San Diego was originally scheduled for early December 2006, but had to be postponed. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano, Orbea techician Iñaki Argote and Euskaltel technician Tomás Amezaga will accompany the tree riders who will look to improve their qualities against the clock.

Euskaltel presentation

According to www.fundacioneuskadi.com, the Euskaltel-Euskadi team 2007 will be presented at the 24th of January in the Palacio Euskalduna de Bilbao. For more information on buses, ways of getting there etc. visit their homepage mentioned above.

No Tour for Sanchez

According to several news agencies today, Samu Sanchez will not ride the 2007 edition of the Tour de France. The Euskaltel big-hitter will instead focus on the hilly one-day classics along with the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and the Vuelta a España. His 2007 calendar will be pretty much the same as last year, and if that`s anything to go by, Euskaltel fans should look forward to another big season.

Angoitia on Iban

Sabino Angoitia, Saunier Duval director and one of Iban`s closest friends, spoke of Iban`s arrival at the Saunier Duval presentation yesterday. He said that they believe Iban can return to former glories, and that he`s an exceptional talented rider. "Iban is not a leader", he said, "not yet, but he`s still capable of winning anything". Sabino said that Saunier hope to help Iban find the form of old, and that they expect a lot of him. But he also said that one cannot expect Iban to be consistent. "Just like in the Dauphiné this year", he said, "Iban can be amazing one day, and non-existent the next. He`s an exceptional rider". Being back with Sabino may be the key to success for Iban. Mark my words...

Iban calendar

At the Saunier Duval presentation yesterday, further details on Iban`s program were revealed. He will start in the Challenge Mallorca, then go to the Vuelta a Andlaucia before heading for Paris-Nice for the first time. After that, he`ll ride the GP Miguel Indurain, the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, the G.P. Amorebieta, Amstel Gold Race, Fleche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and then head for the Giro and the Tour. Iban expressed his hopes of winning the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, which he did in 2003. He was also looking forward to the Giro, where he hopes to play a key-role.

Astarloza interview

In today`s edition of the Diario Vasco, you can read an interview with new Euskaltel rider Mikel Astarloza. In his interview he talks about his move from Ag2r, his hopes for the future, his experiences in France and a lot more. Click: http://www.diariovasco.com/prensa/20070102/deportes/cinco-anos-experiencia-llego_20070102.html

Euskaltel rider by rider; Part 3

• Dionisio Galparsoro Martinez is a strong all-rounder who is a perhaps strongest in breakaways. Enjoyed a successful stay with Euskaltel some years ago, and was an important signing. Will no doubt ride the Giro if everything goes as planned says Galdeano. No Tour for him, but will probably ride many small stage-races, like the Euskal Bizicleta, Vuelta a Asturias etc.
• Aitor Hernandez Gutierrez was one of the biggest positive surprises in the Tour this year. Excellent rider with a "never say die"-attitude. Worked tirelessly throughout three weeks in France, and is a real future prospect for Basque cycling. Will start the season early and will hope to peak for the Giro. I expect a lot from him next year.
• Iban Iriondo Uranga enjoyed a healthy first season with Euskaltel, and will hope to record some results this year. His calendar is still quite unclear, but the Giro is said to be a possibility. Strong roleur.
• Markel Irizar Aranburu was impressive in the Giro and the Vuelta last year, and will follow a similar route this year. Strong in the TTs and in the breakaways, Euskaltel trust him to turn his strong performances into noteworthy results this year. Exciting rider with a big potential; this can be his breakthrough year.
• Iñaki Isasi Flores was one of the outstanding riders last year. Impressive results in sprints coupled with strong classic preformances make Iñaki one of the more important riders. Will ride the Tour again this year, like he did so amazingly last year. Incredibly popular among the Basque- and Euskaltel fanatics.