Good prologue by Euskaltel

The French Pro Tour stage-race Dauphiné Libéré kicked off today with a 4,2 km short prologue. Euskaltel got off to a rather good start I would say, with Mikel Astarloza being the best of the Euskaltel riders in a good 20th spot. Haimar rode OK, coming home 40th, while Igor Antón came in 59th. Well done! Complete results:

• 20th, Mikel Astarloza, 0:08
• 40th, Haimar Zubeldia, 0:14
• 59th, Igor Antón, 0:17
• 75th, Gorka Verdugo, 0:18
• 88th, Iñigo Landaluze, 0:21
• 109th, Unai Uribarri, 0:24
• 110th, Rubén Pérez, 0:25
• 141st, Jorge Azanza, 0:35

Samu 8th today; 7th overall

Samu Sánchez once again showed what a classy rider he is by taking 8th place on today`s last stage of the Euskal Bizikleta. Samu therefore ended up 7th on GC, but will now take a break from racing before starting his prep for the Vuelta. I don`t have much info on how the stage unfolded, the only thing I know is that a 20+ big group got away early on, including Unai Etxebarria, Beñat Albizuri, Unai Uribarri and Iban Mayoz, and got to fight it our for the win. Patxi Vila and Samu left the pursuit group in search for the stage-win, but could not get contact with the break. Anyway, here`s the complete results:

• 8th, Samu Sánchez, 3:05
• 27th, Iban Mayoz, 12:15
• 42nd, Unai Etxebarria, 21:40
• 45th, Jon Bru, 21:40
• 46th, Lander Aperribay, 21:40
• 48th, Beñat Albizuri, 21:40

Jon Bru did not succeed in winning the mountains classification, ending up 5th eventually. Jon also came 2nd in the Metas Volantes rankings. Further, Euskaltel finished a lowly 8th out ot 9 in the team rankings. Here`s how the six riders placed on GC:

• 7th, Samu Sánchez, 3:05
• 37th, Iban Mayoz, 18:36
• 44th, Beñat Albizuri, 30:28
• 45th, Lander Aperribay, 30:28
• 46th, Unai Etxebarria, 30:28
• 49th, Jon Bru, 34:55

No TT

The ITT in the Euskal Bizikleta was cancelled today due to bad weather conditions. Just so you know...

Beñat 5th in stage 2A of Euskal Bizikleta

In today`s first out of two stages in the Euskal Bizikleta, Beñat Albizuri got an excellent 5th spot. Vladimir Efimkin of Caisse d`Epargne won the stage, a full 53 seconds ahead of the rest of the bunch. All the other Euskaltel riders came in with the main pack as well. Further, Jon Bru extended his lead in the mountains classification, taking 2 points on the third climb today. The bad news was the abandonment of Amets Txurruka. I don`t know why Amets had to quit, but I guess ut has got something to do with his fall yesterday. More news later...

Jon in the break; Samu 14th

It was a mixed first stage for Euskaltel in the Euskal Bizikleta today. On the positive side, Jon Bru was part of the break of the day, and crossed 4 of 5 categorized climbs first, meaning he`ll wear the mountains jersey tomorrow. On the bad side, Samu wasn`t quite up there with the very best today, and lost 39 seconds to winner Alberto Fernández of Saunier. And, perhaps more importantly, he lost 33 seconds to José Ángel Gómez Marchante. Samu eventually crossed the line in 14th place; not bad, but not good enough if he wants to win the race. Amets Txurruka was also a bit disappointing today, as he came home a distant 56th, 3:19 down. Though, that probably means he`ll be on the attack in the stages to come. Complete results:

• 14th, Samu Sánchez, 0:39
• 53rd, Iban Iriondo, 3:19
• 56th, Amets Txurruka, 3:19
• 70th, Iban Mayoz, 7:00
• 78th, Lander Aperribay, 9:27
• 82nd, Beñat Albizuri, 9:27
• 83rd, Unai Etxebarria, 9:27
• 121st, Jon Bru, 13:54
  

Vila says no

Disappointingly, Patxi Vila extended his contract with Lampre yesterday. The Basque was offered a two-year contract with the Italians, while all Euskaltel could muster was a one-year deal, something he wasn`t interested in. So, Euskaltel won`t have one of the best Basque riders out there on the team next year either. Why not offer him a two-year deal? Really annoying...

Amets talks

An interview with Euskaltel prodigy Amets Txurruka can be found in today`s DEIA. The young-gun talks of the Euskal Bizikleta, why that race is so special to him, the Tour, and a lot more. Definetely worth a read: http://www.deia.com/es/impresa/2007/06/08/bizkaia/kirolak/371738.php

Vila to join Euskaltel after all?

Lampre-Fondital rider Patxi Vila has NOT extended his contract with the Italian team. This contradicts earlier reports that the Basque stage-race ace opted to stay in Italy in stead of joining home-team Euskaltel. Talking to El Mundo Deportivo yesterday, the impressive Patxi said: "I`ve still not signed anything. Yes, I`ve reached a verbal agreement with the team (Lampre). Talks are at an advanced stage, but I`ve still got to speak with Igor (Galdeano). Euskaltel is very interested in me, and I must say that to come back home would be great. The problem is that Euskaltel only offers me a one-year contract". Why the f*** are they only offering this guy a one-year contract? He`s a big-name rider, and would surely be a big signing. Euskaltel desperately needs him, so what are they doing?? Lampre is offering him a two-year deal, something Euskaltel should consider as well. The case will be sorted out in a matter of hours today, so that we should all know where Patxi will be racing before the start of the Euskal Bizikleta tomorrow. Patxi will be at the start, and will hope to shine as he did in the Giro. Please join Euskaltel Patxi!

Interesting Galdeano interview

I seriously recommend every Euskaltel fan out there to read today`s interview with Euskaltel technical secretary Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano in Basque daily DEIA. It`s a long interview, where he talks of the highs and the lows of the season so far, mainly the disappointing Giro, the Tour team, next year, different riders, and a lot more. Read it here: http://www.deia.com/es/impresa/2007/06/07/bizkaia/kirolak/371487.php

6 riders ready for the Tour

Six riders are assured of going to the Tour de France in July. These six riders are: Haimar Zubeldia, Igor Antón, Iñigo Landaluze, Rubén Pérez, Mikel Astarloza and Gorka Verdugo. The remaining three spots will go to either Amets Txurruka, Juanjo Oroz, Iñaki Isasi, Jorge Azanza or Aitor Galdos. If Iñaki recovers sufficiently, he`ll start, no doubt about that. The same goes for Jorge, who will have to find form quite rapidly if he`s to make the cut. Juanjo, Ametz and Aitor will have to earn their place through strong and impressive riding leading up to the Tour. Personally I would be glad to see Aitor, Amets and Juanjo make it. What do you readers think?

Samu to lead team in Euskal Bizikleta

Samu Sánchez will go for the overall win in the Euskal Bizikleta, starting tomorrow. The three-day, four-stage race will see these 7 riders assisting Samu: Unai Etxebarria, Jon Bru, Amets Txurruka, Beñat Albizuri, Iban Iriondo, Lander Aperribay and Iban Mayoz. Samu has stated his intentions in the race, which is to conquer the first Euskaltel victory in the race since Haimar`s win in 2000. Look out for Amets and Beñat as well; they`ll no doubt be on the attack. Go Samu!

Gianetti: "We`re happy with Iban"

Saunier Duval manager Mauro Gianetti expressed his satisfaction with Iban`s Giro stage-win yesterday. The Italian said: "We are very happy with Iban Mayo's rise in form, which we had followed in recent months with great attention. He had avoided pressure and maintained his cool. We stayed calm as we knew that, sooner or later, we would be repaid". Seems like Iban`s really got the confidence from the Saunier bosses, something that will no doubt do him the world of good.

Poll results: Has Iban improved his TTing?

The results of the poll "Has Iban improved his TTing?" surprised me a bit. The majority, 56 %, said "No". I think it`s obvious that he`s improved, as when he really goes for it, he`s not far off. He gave it his all in the TTs in the Dauphiné and in Burgos last year, and performed rather well. Though, it`s hard to judge, as Iban tends to treat TTs like a day off sometimes. Therefore I would like to see him ride the TT in the Spanish Championship, so that we can get a glimpse of what his TT qualities are like

The Spanish Championships

As it looks like Iban will be riding the Spanish Championship road-race just prior to the Tour, I tried to find the course-profile. Though, finding an overview of the parcours wasn`t easy, so I was wondering if any of you readers know how it`ll look like. Please leave comments if you have any idea...