Pérez: "I'm a little angry"

They say there's no podium placings in cycling; either you win or you don't. Feel free to disagree, but at the end of the day coming second counts for little at this level. As such it was no big surprise to hear Rubén Pérez feeling a wee bit aggrieved to come up short on today's fifth stage of the Tour de Suisse.

"A chance to win a bike race doesn't come along too often, and in a race like the Tour de Suisse it's even more rare", he told www.fundacioneuskadi.com. "That's way I feel a big of anger inside me."

Yet he was also somewhat content to know he'd done his utmost.

"I think I played my cards right, though, and in that sense I'm calm and satisfied to have fought all the way 'till the end. Isaychev was the strongest, so I can only congratulate him", he added diplomatically.

Looking towards the Tour de France, a race in which he's always put his name out there, the likeable all-rounder sounded optimistic.

"After a start to the season where I was hampered by allergies, being in contention for a win in a race as  prestigious as the Tour de Suisse is encouraging. In the first months of the year I wasn't able to perform to my capabilities and my confidence suffered. Fortunately I started to feel better in the Bayern Rundfahrt, and here in Switzerland I'm starting to ride the way I like. I was in the break yesterday, today... It boosts my morale for the Tour de France."

It's a fact: Rubén Pérez has started eight Grand Tours in his career - and finished them all.

No fracture for Velasco

Iván Velasco escaped another collarbone fracture when he crashed out of the Tour de Suisse in today's stage five.

It was initially feared the 32-year-old broke his clavicle when he hit the deck 21 kilometres into the stage from Trimbach to Gansingen. It now transpires he "only" suffered trauma and a "painful inflammation" to his left shoulder, the team's website reports.

How long Velasco's latest injury will keep him out of play was not disclosed.

Photo: www.fundacioneuskadi.com

Pérez 2nd in Suisse stage 5

Rubén Pérez came within inches of doubling his win tally as a professional by running second in today's fifth Tour de Suisse stage.

The Euskaltel hard-man was only just beaten to the line by Katusha's Vladimir Isaychev in the sprint from the break that was allowed to contest the stage win by an apprehensive peloton. It was the 31-year-old's fourth second place in his career - win mass-sprint win in the 2012 edition of the Bayern Rundfahrt is still his sole triumph. While coming away empty handed from such a gold-tinted opportunity might be hard to take, he can at least take comfort in the fact that he put another few WorldTour points into Euskaltel's needy pocket.

Pérez is, on paper anyway, a faster finisher than the 26-year-old Russian, but just couldn't pip the un-fancied Isaychev despite reaching a higher top speed inside the last 50 metres. The line came 15 metres too early for the ever-aggressive Zaldibar-native, who also spent yesterday in the break of the day.

There were no major changes to the GC on today's calm 192,9km stage from Trimbach to Gansingen - Mikel Nieve thus remain ninth. And, by the way, the team is heading up the team classification.

Results stage five:

• (1, Vladimir Isaichev (Katusha), 4:58:28)
• 2, Rubén Pérez, s.t.
• 41, Mikel Astarloza, 11:07
• 44, Gorka Izagirre, s.t.
• 45, Igor Antón, s.t.
• 55, Mikel Nieve, s.t.
• 66, Romain Sicard, s.t.
• 100, Pablo Urtasun, s.t.
• DNF: Iván Velasco (crashed out, see earlier post)

Photo: www.velonews.com

Report: Galdeano back - might lead team in Tour

Igor González de Galdeano will return to lead Euskaltel Euskadi and might even lead the team in the upcoming Tour de France, Spanish newspapers write today.

Trustworthy Basque daily Deia carries the story that claims that Igor González de Galdeano will return to the team he led from 2009 up until this season. The former Equipo Euskadi rider (the forerunner to the Euskaltel team we know today) has allegedly been chosen to lead the "new Euskaltel", a team that will be telecommunications company Euskaltel's property and run outside the auspices of the Fundación Euskadi from 2013 and onwards.

Galdeano's return is one of the worst kept secrets in cycling, only a fortnight after he stepped down as Euskaltel manager he hinted at returning, but it will no doubt be welcomed by the current riders and staff; Álvaro's older brother was immensely popular with the riders, especially so with star rider Samuel Sánchez, and was widely seen as the main reason for Euskaltel's upswing in fortunes and results during his tenure.

What's more surprising, though, is that he might return before the turn of the year. According to the same paper, it's "more than possible" that he'll direct the team in the Tour de France in little more than two weeks' time. Gorka Gerrikagoitia, who somewhat unwillingly inherited Galdeano's job (the sporting side of his job anyway), was pencilled in to lead the team, but as it stands now it's quite unclear exactly who will do what on the roads of France.

Galdeano is reported to have already started working on the make-up of the team for next year, but there's no further news on whether or not Euskaltel will be opened up to non-Basques.

What must be pointed out is that Galdeano is yet to sign on any dotted lines. If the reports are to be believed though, it's merely a matter of time.

Further news on the team's future is expected before the end of the week.

Photo: www.deia.com

Just in: Velasco suffers suspected broken collarbone

Iván Velasco crashed and quite possibly broke his collarbone in today's fifth stage of the Tour de Suisse.

According to reports, the 32-year-old hit the deck after 21 kilometres and was immediately taken to hospital. Velasco had been on Euskaltel's long list for the Tour de France despite riding the Giro in May, but the Grand Boucle is now naturally out of the question for the Arrasate, Gipuzkoa, native.

More on Velasco's state later.

Naturgas duo selected for nationals

Naturgas Energía riders Jon Larrinaga and Mikel Iturria have both been chosen by the Basque Cycling Federation to contest this year's Spanish sub-23 championships, the federation's own website reports.

The duo will take on the road race alongside six others, while Larrinaga, who's enjoying his best season to date, will also do the individual time trial.

Full road race team (to be held 22 June): Mikel Aristi and Aitor González (Debabarrena), Ibai Daboz, Unai Intziarte and Ion Ander Insausti (Bidelan-Kirolgi), Ibai Salas (Caja Rural) and Jon Larrinaga and Mikel Iturria (Naturgas Energía).

Full time trial team (to be held 21 June): Aitor González (Debabarrena), Ion Ander Insausti (Bidelan-Kirolgi) and Jon Larrinaga (Naturgas Energía).

Larrinaga and Iturria have both secured strong results of late; they placed second and third respectively in the sub-23 Euskadi champs road race last weekend (pictured above alongside winner Insausti).

Photo: www.fundacioneuskadi.com

Pérez animates Suisse stage 4

Euskaltel put on an attacking display in today's fourth leg of the Tour de Suisse.

Mikel Astarloza was the first rider in Orange to try his luck with a breakaway attempt after some 30 kilometres on the road from Aarberg to Trimbach. The stage's many hills would have been perfectly suited to the veteran, but the large break of which he was a part of was never given much leeway and was swept up less than 20 clicks later.

Next off was Rubén Pérez, who jumped clear with eight others 80 kilometres in. This nine-man move made is stick for a while, but never grew their gap bigger than three minutes and were inevitably reeled in, one by one, inside the last 30. The 31-year-old Zaldibar-native was one of the first in the group to go out the back as the climbs took its toll, and only 56 riders made up the main peloton that sprinted for the win at the finish.

Sagan naturally bagged yet another victory, his third in four tries in this race, while Euskaltel placed three riders in the first group. Nieve, G Izagirre and Astarloza all managed to hold the pace, meaning the former is still ninth on GC.

Up tomorrow is a 192,7km trek from today's finishing town, Trimbach, to Gansingen.

Stage four results:

• (1, Peter Sagan (Liquigas), 4:36:55)
• 35, Gorka Izagirre, s.t.
• 38, Mikel Nieve, s.t.
• 47, Mikel Astarloza, s.t.
• 72, Iván Velasco, 4:53
• 79, Rubén Pérez, 7:37
• 125, Romain Sicard, 15:40
• 126, Igor Antón, s.t.
• 133, Pablo Urtasun, s.t.

Photo: www.fundacionuskadi.com

Estévez strong as Azysa dominate

Imanol Estévez grabbed a strong seventh in yesterday's GP San Antonio - Memorial Fernando Expósito, a race that also counted as the regional Cantabrian Championships. Azysa-Telco'm-Conor did as they pleased and took out all three podium placings.

The Azysa trio of Niki Terpstra's 25-year-old brother Mike, Argentinian powerhouse Ignacio Pérez and Arkaitz Durán, who needs no further introduction, made their move 60 clicks into the race and were never to be seen again. Local rider José Manuel González of Gomur initially went with the three, but was forced to let go on the climb of San Mateo, paving the way for a Azysa to run riot. Terpstra crossed the line ahead of Pérez and Durán to take top honours, a full 2:37 ahead of the nearest competitor. Mario Gómez (CAI) led the pack home in fourth to be crowned elite Cantabrian champ, while number five, Jesús Herrero (Gomur), took the sub23-title.

Estévez took a solid seventh just six seconds behind Gómez, while Javier Francisco Martín came in on the same time to take 26th.

Results:

• 1, Mike Terpstra (Azysa), 3:12:37
• 2, Ignacio Pérez (Azysa), s.t.
• 3, Arkaitz Durán (Azysa), s.t.
• 7, Imanol Estévez, 2:43
• 26, Francisco Javier Martín, s.t.
• 37, Mikel Iturria, 2:48
• 39, Jon Larrinaga, 2:52

Samu heading for altitude

Samuel Sánchez will head to the thin air of Sierra Nevada to hone his form for the Tour de France.

So says www.elcomercio.es Tuesday morning. The website reports the Euskaltel captain will take in a ten-day stint of altitude training in the Spanish mountain range, starting tomorrow and ending on the 23rd of June. As a consequence, he'll forego (as he usually does) the Spanish time trial champs, which are being held on June 22nd this year, and in all likelihood also the road race being held a pair of days later. It was reported yesterday that the reigning Olympic champ suffers from an oedema in one of his ribs on the right side of his body as well as having strained his left latissimus dorsi muscle because of his crash on stage one of the Dauphiné, but it's now confirmed it won't stop him lining up in Liège on June the 30th.

"If I'd abandoned the Dauphiné, I would be a step behind in my preparations and could almost have said goodbye to the Tour", he stated. "But I managed to press on and now have at least eight days of top-level competition in my legs.

"As for predictions for July, Wiggins is very strong and his team, Sky, look to be top motivated. Evans also looked to be going really well - and don't discard Andy Schleck".

Sánchez ordered to rest

As a result of his crash in the recently concluded Critérium du Dauphiné, Samuel Sánchez will be forced to take a couple of days off the bike.

The Euskaltel captain hit the deck hard on day one of the French stage-race. Medical check-ups discarded any fractures though, and the Tour de France podium hopeful duly went on to complete the entire race, stating it was essential if he is to be competitive come July.

An MRI was done this morning to provide a clearer view on the state of the 34-year-old's injuries, and he was diagnosed with an oedema in rib number four on his right side and a muscle strain in his left latissimus dorsi muscle. The team's website reports he'll rest for at least two days before he'll be able to resume training.

Photo: www.procycling.no

Nieve maintains top ten in Suisse

While today's third stage of the Tour de Suisse was everything but normal, it was a relatively uncomplicated one for Euskaltel as Mikel Nieve stayed ninth on GC.

The 194,7 kilometres between Martigny and Aarberg will forever be remembered for a poorly timed railway crossing and the ensuing chaos that split the peloton in two with some 55 clicks to go. Movistar, who got pretty much all of their riders across just in time, used the occasion to make fools of themselves by deciding to press on and distance the rest of the peloton instead of sitting up and wait - as it the custom. After some discussions with the race officials, and embarrassing protestations from Marzio Bruseghin, the team of overnight leader Rui Alberto Faria da Costa eventually decided to wait for the rest of the pack. The break up the road, who profited massively from the anarchy ruling behind, was reeled in inside the last kilometre and Peter Sagan went on to take the win everyone expected him to. Rubén Pérez figured near the front of the peloton in the last five clicks, seemingly intent on giving it a go in the sprint, but never really found his place and had to settle for a distant 21st.

Nieve stayed out of trouble and crossed the line among the other GC contenders, while Romain Sicard had to concede 31 seconds by stage's end. Urtasun and Antón amazingly managed to finish more than 13 minutes in arrears - the former thus not doing his chances of being picked for the Tour de France any good.

Stage three results:

• (1, Peter Sagan (Liquigas), 4:35:32)
• 21, Rubén Pérez, 0:03
• 29, Mikel Astarloza, s.t.
• 39, Mikel Nieve, s.t.
• 45, Iván Velasco, s.t.
• 55, Gorka Izagirre, s.t.
• 122, Romain Sicard, 0:31
• 158, Igor Antón, 13:22
• 159, Pablo Urtasun, s.t.

Photo: www.fundacioneuskadi.com

Bagües makes his mark in Portugal

Aritz Bagües came away from the GP Abimota in Portugal this weekend with the 'Special sprints'-classification in the bag.

Orbea sent an eight-man team to the three-day Gran Premio Abimota, featuring Jon Aberasturi, Mikel Bizkarra, Andoni Blázquez, Aritz Etxebarria, Aritz Bagües, Xavier Zabalo, Haritz Orbe and Omar Fraile. But while the team failed to grab any significant stage placings over the three days, Bagües made sure the race wasn't a total write-off for the blue team with the classification win mentioned above.

22-year-old Bagües gathered six points over the weekend, enough to hold off team-mate Blázquez by one point and Gios-Deyser's once-promising Salvador Guardiola by three. The native of San Sebastián, who made the move to Orbea ahead of the 2011 season after a promising campaign with Bidelan, has struggled for results so far in his Orbea career, and will undoubtedly look to kick on after his classification win in Portugal.

Aberasturi was unsurprisingly the rider who bagged the team's top placing, sprinting to sixth on day one. Disgraced former pro Moisés Dueñas took out day two en route to the overall win. Omar Fraile was again the team's highest-placed rider on GC in 17th.

Final general classification:

• (1, Moisés Dueñas (Supermercados Froiz), 11:41:17)
• 17, Omar Fraile, 0:27
• 24, Aritz Bagües, 0:42
• 27, Mikel Bizkarra, 1:01
• 51, Xabier Zabalo, 16:51
• 56, Andoni Blázquez, 21:09
• 65, Haritz Orbe, 25:24
• 67, Aritz Etxebarria, s.t.
• 72, Jon Aberasturi, 30:19

Photo: Iñaki Azanza.

Three riders to sign

If the current rumours surrounding the team's future turn out to be true, i.e. Euskaltel backing the team with some nine million euro from 2013 and onwards, the team's chiefs will no doubt be looking to recruit from outside the Fundación Euskadi-institution in order to keep their place in the WorldTour. The likes of Intxausti and Castroviejo, to name but a few of stand-out Basques plying their trade away from Euskaltel, are both under contract in 2013 - otherwise they would of course have featured in this short list. Those aside, here's the trio of riders they should sign:

Ibai Salas:
The 20-year-old is showing signs of his true potential this year with Caja Rural and belongs at a higher level. The native of Bilbao has had a successful season to date, taking out the prestigious Three Days of Álava in April among other races, and would likely be tempted to ride for his home team. He's an all-rounder with a decent motor who will surely be picked up by the professional Caja Rural outfit this year or next if he continues in the same vein. One for the future.

Arkaitz Durán:
A no-brainer. Has been riding with Azysa-Telco'm-Conor in the amateur ranks this year after the implosion of Geox late 2011, and would jump at the chance to return to the pro ranks - his stated aim for 2013. Has already racked up 10 (!) wins on the competitive Spanish circuit and we're not even halfway through June. Despite seemingly having been in the peloton for ages, the Vitoria-native is still only 26 and should, logically, be about to enter the best years of his career. Having bypassed the amateur ranks by going straight from the juniors to the pros under Joxean Matxin's tutelage back in 2005, Durán has flattered to deceive ever since. A year in the amateur ranks, rediscovering the feeling of winning bike races, may actually do him good. As they say, form is temporary, class is permanent. Undoubted potential - time to give him a shot.

Imanol Erviti: 
With two Vuelta-stages to his name, it's hard to grasp that 28-year-old Imanol Erviti is still a relatively unknown rider to the wider cycling public. The Pamplona-born Movistar rider has five wins on his palmares, but has almost exclusively been used as a domestique in his career. Rock-solid, big motor, extensive Grand Tour-experience, good all-rounder and with a penchant for picking out the winning breaks, Erviti would be a valuable asset to Euskaltel. He's still got many years left in him at the highest level and may prosper if given freer reins. One for the present.

Photo: www.nettavisen.no

Suisse: Nieve third on Verbier

Mikel Nieve made good use of his post-Giro d'Italia form to climb to third on today's second stage of the Tour de Suisse.

The 28-year-old, fresh off 10th overall in the Italian GT, looked lively and at his best on the steep finishing climb of the Verbier at the end of the mammoth 218,3km stage starting in Verbania. Fränk Schleck left it all on the road with a daring attack six clicks from the top, but Nieve, along with the likes of eventual victor Alberto Rui Faria da Costa and John Gadret, soon went on the attack as well, putting in several digs to eventually distance a small group containing most of the GC favourites. While Movistar's Portuguese wonderkid managed to catch and pass the ailing Schleck inside the last 400 metres, Nieve couldn't quite keep up but still had enough in the tank to grab a creditable third and with it a ninth overall. And, perhaps more importantly, a few WorldTour-points to go with it.

The team at one point had a trio of riders in the lead group, but Gorka Izagirre and Mikel Astarloza were forced to let go of the front-runners once Schleck made his move. The two still did well though to finish 26th and 27th respectively at 1:40, while Antón, still easing his way back into shape after breaking his collarbone in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, came home with the gruppetto some 13 minutes back.

Stage two results:

• (1, Rui Costa (Movistar), 6:21:13)
• 3, Mikel Nieve, 0:12
• 26, Gorka Izagirre, 1:40
• 27, Mikel Astarloza, s.t.
• 70, Iván Velasco, 4:50
• 124, Romain Sicard, 10:10
• 125, Rubén Pérez, s.t.
• 150, Pablo Urtasun, 13:24
• 151, Igor Antón, s.t.

It's a fact: Nieve's third place marks only his second third place in his career - the other one came a few weeks ago atop the Stelvio. 

Photo: www.cyclingnews.com