Iban in the Pyrenees

In preparation for the fast-approaching Tour de France, Iban visited some of the climbs that will make up the queen-stage of this year`s race. Stage 16 from Orthez - Gourette to the Col d’Aubisque is viewed as the stage for the overall contenders and the climbers to show what they`ve got, and crosses the border to the Basque Country along the way. The stage takes in the mythical Col de la Pierre St-Martin and the Porte de Larrau, a 12,5 km monster of a climb Iban has bever done before. Therefore Iban, along with fellow Igorre-born Gorka Amuriza, now riding for Continental team Grupos Nicolas Mateos, decided to take on the two climbs, accompanied by Basque newspaper DEIA. Iban and Gorka did both climbs in bad weather, with Iban arriving at the summit of the St-Martin totally frozen and shivering. Though, he won`t regret visiting the climbs when the Tour peloton takes it on on the 25th of July.

Iban fit for fight

Iban is quickly approaching Tour de France fitness. Speaking to DEIA yesterday, Iban said that he`s lost a lot of weight after the Giro. If he is to reach his ideal weight, he`ll have to lose one more kilo, something he says he will probably do during the first week of the Tour.

Iban`s Tour team confirmed

As was predicted earlier, Saunier Duval`s Tour team will look like this: Iban, David Millar, José Ángel Gómez Marchante, Iker Camaño, David De La Fuente, Juanjo Cobo, Rubén Lobato, Francisco Ventoso and Christophe Rinero. David Cañada, "Litu" Gómez and Jesús Del Nero are the reserves. "Joxean" Fernández and Sabino Angoitia, one of Iban`s best friends, will lead the nine chosen ones, in search of the team`s first ever Tour de France win.

12 riders for NC road race

Euskaltel will take 12 riders to the Spanish National Championship road race on Sunday. Beñat Albizuri, Lander Aperribay, Jon Bru, Iban Iriondo, Iñaki Isasi, Markel Irizar, Andoni Lafuente, Iban Mayoz, Alan Pérez, Amets Txurruka, Unai Uribarri and Juanjo Oroz will do their best to fight for the win on the hilly 189 km trek. It seems that Euskaltel will have to pin their hopes on Iñaki, Jon and Ametz in my eyes, as they have the capabilities and the form to win this sort of race. Why only 12 out of 30 Euskaltel riders will take part is a mysteri to me. Most other Spanish teams are bringing all their Spanish riders, something the heads of Euskaltel should consider as well.

No NC ITT for Iban

Iban won`t take part in Friday`s Spanish National Championship time trial. Iban has opted to just focus on Sunday`s road race, where he will line up as one of the favourites.

Markel Euskaltel`s representative in ITT

Markel Irizar will be Euskaltel`s sole representative in the Spanish National Championship time trial this coming Friday. Markel has delivered great results in TTs so far this year, and by looking on the startlist, I reckon he might get a top 10 spot, something which would have been great for him. The top favourites are, well, Caisse d`Epargne, with Plaza, León Sánchez and Gutierrez all taking part. The profile is rather hilly in fact, something that will hopefully suit Markel. Why Markel is the only rider from Euskaltel taking part, I don`t know, but what I do know is that more of them should participate. Those who won`t ride the Tour should have taken this chance to improve their TTing. But, anyway, Markel will represent Euskaltel in a brilliant way I`m sure...

Isasi and Azanza complete Tour team

Jorge Azanza and Iñaki Isasi will both take to the start in the Tour de France this year. The Fundacion Ciclista Euskadi just confirmed this, and thus the team will consist of these 9 riders: Haimar Zubeldia, Igor Antón, Amets Txurruka, Rubén Pérez, Gorka Verdugo, Mikel Astarloza, Iñigo Landaluze, and the aforementioned Jorge and Iñaki. More on Euskaltel`s Tour prospects later...

Relive Iban`s Giro glory

Didn`t get to see Iban`s Giro win? Or you want to see it again? No prob, you can watch most of Iban`s terrific Giro stage-win in Termo di Camaiore now on www.steephill.tv. Just click on the link below, sit back, and enjoy. The full video lasts something like an hour and 5 minutes, and includes the last km live, "processo alla tappa", Iban`s celebrations, and of course the after-stage show. Though, everything`s in Italian, but, it`s anyway definetely worth to watch. Click: http://www.steephill.tv/2007/giro-d-italia/

OK Euskaltel in Eindhoven

Euskaltel had an OK ride in today`s team time trial in Eindhoven. Euskaltel ended 21st out of the 23 teams that took part, so that`s at least better than last year. Euskaltel beat T-Mobile and Bouygues Telecom, and were only half a second behind Gerolsteiner, so I am actually quite pleased. Unai Etxebarria, Alan Pérez, Iñaki Isasi, Unai Uribarri and Markel Irizar crossed the line together, while Samu Sánchez, Joseba Zubeldia and Iban Iriondo came in some minutes back. Aupa Euskaltel!

Tour de Suisse finally over

The Tour de Suisse concluded today with a 33,7 km ITT. I don`t think too many Euskaltel riders will be sad it`s over, as the results wasn`t much to brag about. Ibán Mayoz rode an OK time trial, coming home 48th. The three others came in far back. Results:

• 48th, Ibán Mayoz, 3:42
• 78th, Juanjo Oroz, 4:46
• 116th, Iván Velasco, 6:03
• 127th, Jon Bru, 6:33

Final overall ranking:

• 59th, Ibán Mayoz, 49:38
• 77th, Jon Bru, 1:04:04
• 84th, Iván Velasco, 1:09:46
• 90th, Juanjo Oroz, 1:14:12

Euskaltel ended dead last on the team ranking, so I guess that says it all...

Iban Mayoz 20th in Switzerland

Iban Mayoz was the only rider to come in with the 56-man strong leading group on the stage 8 of the Tour de Suisse. The three remaining riders, Jon Bru, Juanjo Oroz and Iván Velasco, all came in with the gruppetto more than 12 minutes back. Besides from that there`s not much to report. Soon this race is over....

Iban back in action

Iban will return to competitive racing in the Spanish National Championship road-race on Sunday the 1st of July. This will be Iban`s only competitive outing ahead of the Tour, which kickc off on July the 7th. More on Iban`s chances in the NC, his rivals, the course etc. later...

The let down continues...

Euskaltel had another lacklustre day in the Tour de Suisse today. On the "queen-stage", the best placed Euskaltel rider was Ibán Mayoz in 50th place, 9:07 adrift. Juanjo Oroz was a disappointing 86th at more than 24 minutes, while Jon Bru and Iván Velasco both came in with the gruppetto 39:46 back. It`s really been a bad showing for Euskaltel in Suisse, but as there are only two stages left, the end is, thank God, near.

Tour de Suisse stage 6

Euskaltel continued their "non-protagonism" in the Tour de Suisse on stage 6. None made the break on the shortened stage, and none were fighting for the win. Iván Velasco came in first of the Euskaltel riders in 44th place, 3:16 down. Jon Bru and Juanjo Oroz came in 50th and 51st respectively, 4:22 and 4:53 down. Ibán Mayoz came in with the gruppetto over 20 minutes down. It`s not been a successful Tour de Suisse for Euskaltel this year, so far, at least. I hope to see some of them on the attack in the days to come.