Circuito De Getxo - Memorial Ricardo Otxoa

Today Vicente Reynes (Caisse d'Epargne) has won the 62th edition of the Circuito De Getxo in Spain. The Spaniard was in the sprint faster than the Japanese Takashi Miyazawa (Nippo) and Jose Joaquin Rojas(Caisse d'Epargne).

A group with Constantino Zaballa and Aitor Perez (both Caisse d'Epargne), Unai Etxebarria and Aitor Galdos (both Euskaltel) and Rigoberto Uran gave colour to the race. They took an advantage of three minutes but had to see how the Relax team closed the gap close to the end.

Vicente Reynes already won this year the Trofeo Cala Millor - Cala Bona.

Results

1 Vicente Reynes Mimo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 4.10.59 (44.310 km/h)

2 Takashi Miyazawa (Jpn) Nippo Corporation ST

3 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne ST

...

10. Benat Albizuri ST

14. Koldo Fernandez ST

38. Andoni Aranaga ST

53. Alan Perez +1.01

86. Andoni Lafuente +5.13

87. Lander Aperribay +5.13

92. Aitor Galdos +5.13

93. Iban Iriondo +5.13

95. Unai Etxebarria +5.13

Clasica San Sebastian : Team Euskaltel

August 4 the most important one day-cyclingrace through the basque country will be held again and it promises to be a great race. The Clasica San Sebastian has been held every summer since 1981, especially for the climbers, and most of the riders who end the tour with a good shape try to show themselves one time again here.

Euskaltel sends a very strong team with the best riders from the tour and some fresh riders for the Tour of Spain. These are the 8 riders : Samuel Sanchez, Haimar Zubeldia, Mikel Astarloza, Inigo Landaluze, Dionisio Galparsoro, Jon Bru, Ruben Perez and Gorka Verdugo.

Last 10 victories :

2006 : Xavier Florencio

2005 : Constantino Zaballa

2004 : Miguel Angel Perdiguero

2003 : Paolo Bettini

2002 : Laurent Jalabert

2001 : Laurent Jalabert

2000 : Erik Dekker

1999 : Francesco Casagrande

1998 : Francesco Casagrande

1997 : Davide Rebellin

Tour de France : The end Rankings

General Ranking
1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 91.00.26
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto +0.23
3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel +0.31
4 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC +7.08
5 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi +8.17
6 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne +11.37
7 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team +12.18
8 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel +12.25
9 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi +14.14
10 Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne +14.25
...
23. Amets Txurruka +49:34
43. Inigo Landaluze +1:36:50
48. Gorka Verdugo +1:53:32
50. Ruben Perez +1:56:15
82. Jorge Azanza +2:50:30
90. Inaki Isasi +2:59:37

Points Classification
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 256 pts
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld 234
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 232
...
23. Ruben Perez 55
40. Inaki Isasi 39
49. Haimar Zubeldia 35
59. Mikel Astarloza 23
64. Inigo Landaluze 20
85. Amets Txurruka 8
97. Gorka Verdugo 4


Mountains Classification
1 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 206 pts
2 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 128
3 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Discovery Channel 105
...
10. Haimar Zubeldia 64
11. Gorka Verdugo 61
15. Mikel Astarloza 51
16. Amets Txurruka 50
25. Ruben Perez 27
26. Inigo Landaluze 26


Young Rider Classification
1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 91.00.26
2 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld +16.51
3 Amets Txurruka (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi +49.34
...
11. Jorge Azanza +2:50:30


Team classification
1 Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 273.12.52
2 Caisse D'Epargne +19.36
3 Team CSC +22.10
4 Rabobank +36.24
5 Euskaltel-Euskadi +46.46

I dont get this classification, how can Rabobank have done better than Euskaltel ?? :s

TdF Stage 20 : Marcoussis - Paris

Today the Tour de France 2007 finally came to an end and in the stage to Paris it became the normal easy drive to the Champs Elysees with nothing really to do.

Once on the Champs Elysees a group with 10 riders, among them Balan and Fischer, left but they were caught again at 6km before the finish where the expected finish began. The favorite Boonen got caught up and it became a finish with Hushovd, Bennati and Zabel where the Italianan Daniele Bennati was the best.

Stage Result
1 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre - Fondital 3.51.03 (37.91 km/h)
2 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole ST
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram ST
...
14. Inaki Isasi ST
16. Ruben Perez ST
40. Haimar Zubeldia +0.05
41. Mikel Astarloza +0.05
97. Jorge Azanza +0.15
100. Gorka Verdugo +0.15
102. Inigo Landaluze +0.15
112. Amets Txurruka +0.15

I will do the other classifications tomorrow, because I don't have all the results now :)

TdF Stage 19 : Cognac - Angouleme

Today we would finally find out who is going to win the tour. The battle would go between the two Discovery riders Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer and the Australian Cadel Evans, and it promised to be a thrilling trial.

Early in the day Leif Hoste set a great time and long time no one could reach it until another Discovery rider George Hincapie came, he beat the time with 15 seconds but that time was later crushed by Gutierrez, Popovych and Karpets. Then the three most important riders started. Levi Leipheimer rode the time trial of his life and took the victory home, but couldn't get over Evans and Contador in the rankings. Evans was making lots of seconds good on Contador but on the finish line Contador had 23 seconds left on Evans so he would probably become the winner of the Tour de France.

For Euskaltel Mikel Astarloza was able to get the 10th spot and jumped over in the general ranks. Haimar Zubeldia got the 20th place and stayed fifth in the rankings.

Stage Result
1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel 1.02.44 (53.068 km/h)
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto +0.51
3 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne +1.56
...
10. Mikel Astarloza +2.50
20. Haimar Zubeldia +4.06
33. Ruben Perez +5.07
46. Amets Txurruka +5.48
55. Gorka Verdugo +6.22
81. Inigo Landaluze +7.42
92. Inaki Isasi +8.08
111. Jorge Azanza +8.54

General Rank
1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery 87.09.18
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto +0.23
3. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel +0.31
...
5. Haimar Zubeldia +8.17
9. Mikel Astarloza +14.14
23. Amets Txurruka +49.24
41. Inigo Landaluze +1:36:40
48. Gorka Verdugo +1:53:22
50. Ruben Perez +1:56:20
82. Jorge Azanza +2:50:20
90. Inaki Isasi +2:59:42

TdF Stage 18 : Cahors - Angoulème

Today would be the last normal stage because after this there were only the time trial and the rid to Paris so it became a normal stage.

Early in the race a group with Casar, Boogerd, Willems and Lefevre was formed but after a crash with a dog Willems and Casar fell hard and Willems wasn't able to come back, but another Belgian Axel Merckx was able to reach the three leaders. Boogerd, Casar and Lefevre tried to get away from their companions but everything got back together for a sprint were Sandy Casar easily won before Axel Merckx.

In the peloton Euskaltal made the chase to maintain the place of Mikel Astarloza and it worked. Boonen won the sprint for the fifth place and the green jersey.

Stage Result

1 Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux 5.13.31 (40.38 km/h)

2 Axel Merckx (Bel) T-Mobile Team +0.01

3 Laurent Lefevre (Fra) Bouygues Telecom ST

...

22. Haimar Zubeldia +8:37

23. Ruben Perez +8:37

27. Mikel Astarloza +8:37

57. Gorka Verdugo +8:37

71. Amets Txurruka +8:37

82. Inaki Isasi +9:24

99. Inigo Landaluze +9:24

104. Jorge Azanza +9:24

General Rank

1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 86.04.16

2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto +1.50

3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel +2.49

...

5. Haimar Zubeldia +6:29

10. Mikel Astarloza +13:42

23. Amets Txurruka +45:54

40. Inigo Landaluze +1:31:16

49. Gorka Verdugo +1:49:18

51. Ruben Perez +1:53:31

82. Jorge Azanza +2:43:44

88. Inaki Isasi +2:53:52

TdF Stage 17 : Pau - Castelsarrasin

After Rasmussen had to leave the tour due to some missed doping controles and some lies, the stage started without a yellow jersey. This stage would become a ride for the escapers and so it a happened.

Early in the stage Bennati, Fothen, Quinziato, Voigt, Millar, Elmiger, Tosatto and Righi left and they went on to the finish. Millar, Righi, Tosatto and Quinziato couldn't follow the others and so it became a sprint of four. Of course Daniele Bennati was the fastest and so he won his first Tour de France victory before Fothen and Elmiger. In the sprint for the ninth place and the green jersey Tom Boonen won easily before Sebastien Chavanel and Robert Hunter.

In the stage we haven't seen much Euskaltel but Haimar is now number 5 in the General Rank and he can raise to number 4 in the time trial, Astarloza is number 10 and can get the number 9 and Txurruka is riding in the white jersey tomorrow because Contador has the yellow one and Soler has the jersey for the mountains.

Stage Result

1 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre - Fondital 4.14.04 (44.52 km/h)

2 Markus Fothen (Ger) Gerolsteiner ST

3 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2r Prévoyance ST

...

32. Haimar Zubeldia +9:39

41. Amets Txurruka +9:39

43. Ruben Perez +9:39

51. Inaki Isasi +9:39

54. Mikel Astarloza +9:39

88. Inigo Landaluze +9:39

99. Jorge Azanza +9:39

100. Gorka Verdugo +9:39

General Rank

1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 80.42.08

2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto +1.53

3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel +2.49

...

5. Haimar Zubeldia +6:29

10. Mikel Astarloza +13:42

23. Amets Txurruka +45:54

39. Inigo Landaluze +1:30:29

49. Gorka Verdugo +1:49:18

51. Ruben Perez +1:53:31

82. Jorge Azanza +2:42:57

88. Inaki Isasi +2:53:05

Gp Villafrance de Ordizia

Although there is the Tour de France, in other countries they are also riding races like yesterday in Spain the Grand Prix Villafranca de Ordizia was held.

I don't have much information about how the race was but I do have the results, without a good result from an Euskaltel rider :(

1 Joaquín Rodríguez Oliver (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 3.49.15 (43.18 km/h)
2 Julián Sánchez Pimienta (Spa) Relax-Gam ST
3 Alberto Benítez Román (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir +0.18
...
17. Iban Mayoz +0:22
20. Jon Bru +0:22
25. Dionisio Galparsoro +0:22
49. Aitor Hernandez +5.41

HD : Markel Irizar, Lander Aperribay, Ivan Velasco
DNF : Samuel Sanchez, Anton Luengo, Unai Uribarri

TdF Stage 16 Orthez - Gourette-Col d'Aubisqu

After all the dopingshit with Vinokourov and the Astana team the stage of today started with a protest from the french teams and two german teams. After a few minutes they too started to ride and so the last pyrenees stage could start.

It was a though stage ending on the legendly col d'Aubisque. An early escape with great names like Sastre, Soler, Mayo, Verdugo and Arroyo left early but they couldn't get to the finishline and were taken at the beginning of the Aubisque. There Rabobank and Discovery Channel made it hard and everyone had to let them go except for Rasmussen, Contador, Evans and Leipheimer battling for the three first spots in the general rank. It looked like the Dane and the Spaniard would make another battle between their two but Leipheimer came back and finished second after Rasmussen who went solo after Contador cracked.

For Euskaltel Haimar Zubeldia could maintain sixth with 4 minutes advantage on the number 7 and 20 seconds after Carlos Sastre. Sadly Mikel Astarloza wasn't able to stay in the top 10, he went to the 11th place, but with a good trime trial he should get back in the top 10.

Stage Result

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 6.23.21 (34.20 km/h)

2 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel Pro +0.26

3 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel +0.35

...

6. Haimar Zubeldia +1:52

21. Mikel Astarloza +7:11

34. Gorka Verdugo +10:14

35. Amets Txurruka +10:27

44. Ruben Perez +21:36

68. Inigo Landaluze +29:20

69. Inaki Isasi +29:20

70. Jorge Azanza +29:20

General Rank

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 76.15.15

2 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel +3.10

3 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto +5.03

...

6. Haimar Zubeldia +9:39

11. Mikel Astarloza +16:52

25. Amets Txurruka +49:04

41. Inigo Landaluze +1:33:39

52. Gorka Verdugo +1:52:28

55. Ruben Perez +1:56:41

86. Jorge Azanza +2:46:07

92. Inaki Isasi +2:56:15

Rest Day

Ok so today it's rest day for the riders in the tour and I'm going to take this chance to go through the different classifications.

The General Rank
1. Michael Rasmussen Rabobank 69.52.14
2. Alberto Contador Discovery Channel +2.23
3. Cadel Evans Predictor-Lotto +4.00
...
7. Haimar Zubeldia +7:27
10. Mikel Astarloza +9:21
28. Amets Txurruka +38:17
44. Inigo Landaluze +1:03:59
59. Ruben Perez +1:34:45
67. Gorka Verdugo +1:41:56
99. Jorge Azanza +2:16:27
106. Inaki Isasi +2:26:35

With only one mountainstage and one time trial to go Michael Rasmussen and Alberto Contador seem to be the two who will battle it out for the victory, I dont think Cadel Evans can make 4 minutes good on Rasmussen. With what we have seen yesterday Alberto Contador should be the better climber of the two and will certainly bring some firework in tomorrows stage on the Aubisque.
Euskaltel is doing great with two top 10 places. Haimar Zubeldia should certainly keep his place and who knows maybe climb another place tomorrow. Mikel Astarloza should prove himself and keep up with the better climbers tomorrow but he should be able to get some time back in the last time trial. Also Amets Txurruka is riding a great Tour de France with a nice 28th place, a good prospect for the futur.

Points classification
1. Tom Boonen Quickstep-Innergetic 195
2. Robert Hunter Barloworld 175
3. Erik Zabel Team Milram 174
...
25. Ruben Perez 42
42. Inaki Isasi 27
54. Mikel Astarloza 22
56. Haimar Zubeldia 21
61. Inigo Landaluze 20
87. Amets Txurruka 8
108. Gorka Verdugo 2

If Boonen has no accident anymore he should be able to keep the green jersey. The two stages between the last mountainstage and the time trial will probably become something for escapers and then there's only the sprint on the Champs-Elysees and there Boonen won already once so he should be able to get a good result there.
For Euskaltel there were no high hopes in this classification but I expected Isasi far higher seeing his tour of last year where he was in the top 10 a couple of times.

Mountains Classification
1. Michael Rasmussen Rabobank 142
2. Mauricio Soler Barloworld 140
3. Yaroslav Popovych Discovery Channel 104
...
11. Mikel Astarloza 51
12. Amets Txurruka 50
16. Haimar Zubeldia 44
27. Ruben Perez 27
29. Inigo Landaluze 29
34. Gorka Verdugo 20

This will be a battle between Rasmussen and Soler, but I think Rasmussen will let this classification over to Soler and concentrates himself on the yellow jersey.
For Euskaltel good results from Astarloza and Txurruka but I expected Inigo Landaluze much higher.

Young Rider Classification
1. Alberto Contador Discovery Channel 69.54.37
2. Mauricio Soler Barloworld +12.37
3. Kanstantin Siutsou Barloworld +30.35
...
4. Amets Txurruka +35.54
12. Jorge Azanza +2.14.04

This classification is over and out. Contador will win it easily before Soler, maybe Amets will be able to get the third spot but he will have to drive a very good mountainstage tomorrow.

TdF Stage 15 : Foix - Loudenville - Le Louron

Today we got the second stage in the Pyrenees and it was a good one for Euskaltel ! Early in the stage a groupe with 24 riders left, among them Alexandre Vinokourov and Denis Menchov but also Haimar Zubeldia, Inigo Landaluze and Ruben Perez.



On the first Port de Bales Kirchen and Tschopp left but in the descent Zubeldia, Vinokourov and Cobo could come back. Then on the last climb, the Peyresourde, Vinokourov went away and Zubeldia and Kirchen couldn't get in his wheel so the Astana-driver won his second stage before Kirchen and Haimar. With this great result Haimar became seventh in the general rank !



In the peloton Contador jumped away on the Peyresourde but Rasmussen was able to follow him and by this attacK the two leaders in the general rank were able to enlarge their lead.

Stage Result

1 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 5.34.28 (35.160 km/h)

2 Kim Kirchen (Lux) T-Mobile Team +0.51

3 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Euskaltel -Euskadi ST

...

14. Mikel Astarloza +6.27

35. Inigo Landaluze +9:00

40. Ruben Perez +12:07

42. Amets Txurruka +12:07

83. Gorka Verdugo +28:25

85. Jorge Azanza +28:25

89. Inaki Isasi +28:25

General Rank

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 69.52.14

2 Alberto Contador (Spa) Discovery Channel +2.23

3 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto , +4.00

...

7. Haimar Zubeldia +7:27

10. Mikel Astarloza +9:21

28. Amets Txurruka +38:17

44. Inigo Landaluze +1:03:59

59. Ruben Perez +1:34:45

67. Gorka Verdugo +1:41:56

99. Jorge Azanza +2:16:27

106. Inaki Isasi +2:26:35

TdF Stage 14 Mazamet - Plateau-de-Beille

Today we finally entered the Pyrenees where the tour should be decided. The stage of today would become one for the climbers with three tough climbs and ending on Plateau-de-Beille.

Like in all the other stages there was an early flight with two basques Ruben Perez and Amets Txurruka, Carlos Barredo, Antonio Colom, Jose Ivan Gutierrez and Aleksandr Kuschynski. On the second climb only Colom could follow the two Basques but in the descent Barredo and Gutierrez could come back so went a group of 5 spaniards to Plateau-de-Beille, where Antonio Colom from Astana exceeded the others and went solo with an advantage of 4 minutes on the peloton.

In the peloton the riders of Saunier Duval drove like crazy but it were the other favourites who did the sorting. The first favourite who failed was Christophe Moreau followed by Alexandre Vinokourov, Schleck and Astarloza but the last one was able to come back in the descent.

So a group of 30 driver went together to the last climb where it rained attacks, but Contador and Rasmussen came out as the best with Soler challenging them for the mountain jersey. Also Leipheimer and Sastre were able to keep up a bit but the others had to limit the lose.

Stage Result

1 Alberto Contador(Spa) Discovery Channel 5.25.48 (36.28 km/h)

2 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank ST

3 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld +0.37

...

12. Mikel Astarloza +3:06

15. Haimar Zubeldia +3:45

19. Amets Txurruka +4:04

24. Inigo Landaluze +5:33

44. Gorka Verdugo +12:28

53. Ruben Perez +14:54

84. Jorge Azanza +31:29

85. Inaki Isasi +31:29

General Rank

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 64.12.15

2 Alberto Contador (Spa) Discovery Channel +2.23

3 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto +3.04

...

8. Mikel Astarloza +8:25

13. Haimar Zubeldia +12:15

27. Amets Txurruka +31:41

49. Indigo Landaluze +1:00:30

64. Gorka Verdugo +1:19:02

74. Ruben Perez +1:28:09

97. Jorge Azanza +1:53:33

111. Inaki Isasi +2:03:41

TdF Stage 13 : Albi - Albi TT

Ok so today finally the first time trial was held so we should know who would compete for the yellow jersey this year. Everybody expected a big loss for Michael Rasmussen but with a good 11th place he proved that he improved his time trial skills. The win was for Alexandre Vinokourov, who let us know that we should'nt count him out already for the victory. Big losers for the day were Valverde, Sastre, Mayo and Moreau

On the Euskaltel side Mikel Astarloza did a great job with a 10th place and made himself climb to the 8th spot in the general rank. Haimar Zubeldia couldn't really get together and went to the 18th place.

Stage Result
1 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 1.06.34 (48.661 km/h)
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto +1.14
3 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana +1.39
...
10. Mikel Astarloza +2:42
32. Haimar Zubeldia +4:31
50. Ruben Perez +6:17
58. Gorka Verdugo +7:04
75. Inaki Isasi +7:35
83. Amets Txurruka +7:51
108. Jorge Azanza +8:50
135. Inigo Landaluze +9:52

General Rank
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 58.46.39
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto +1.00
3 Alberto Contador (Spa) Discovery Channel +2.31
...
8. Mikel Astarloza +5:07
18. Haimar Zubeldia +8:18
36. Amets Txurruka +27:25
59. Inigo Landaluze +54:45
77. Gorka Verdugo +1:06:22
89. Ruben Perez +1:13:07
99. Jorge Azanza +1:21:52
115. Inaki Isasi +1:32:00

TdF Stage 12 : Montpellier - Castres

After the thrilling stage of yesterday everybody expected another exciting race but it turned out to become a normal sprintstage. An early escape with the frenchman Fedrigo and the basque Txurruka, but at 1km before the finish the sprintteams with Quickstep first took them back and it became a sprint with Tom Boonen as the winner, followed by Zabel and Hunter.

For Euskaltel there was of course the sweet escape from Amets Txurruka who drove a great stage and also the 14th place of Isasi in the sprint. Sadly enough Igor Anton left the race yesterday :(

Stage Results

1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep-Innergetic 4:25:32

2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Milram ST

3 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld ST

...

14. Inaki Isasi ST

36. Ruben Perez ST

60. Haimar Zubeldia ST

82. Mikel Astarloza ST

126. Inigo Landaluze ST

128. Jorge Azanza ST

129. Amets Txurruka ST

130. Gorka Verdugo ST

General Rank

1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 57.37.10

2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne +2.35

3 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir +2.39

...

10. Mikel Astarloza +05:20

15. Haimar Zubeldia +06:42

35. Amets Txurruka +22:29

60. Inigo Landaluze +47:48

77. Gorka Verdugo +1:02:13

91. Ruben Perez +1:09:45

101. Jorge Azanza +1:15:57

117. Inaki Isasi +1:27:20

Back

Ok so I'm back from my holiday, ready to continue this blog every day :D


Until now Euskaltel is doing quite good in the Tour. Landaluze became second in a stage and in the general rank, Mikel Astarloza is currently in the top 10 and Haimar Zubeldia is 15th. I'm hoping Mikel can stay in the top 20 and Haimat should get into the top 10, also another rider (Txurruka, Verdugo, Perez, Landaluze) should get a stage victory

Vacation Break + Pictures Waregem

I wont post anything here anymore untill next friday because I go on vacation. After that I promise I will continue with this.

After this bad news here's a little thing to cheer you up : EUSKALTEL SHOTS FROM WAREGEM

And my favourite one : Me and Haimar

TdF Stage 6 Chablis - Autun

Today we finally got some mountains in the stage, Ok it wasn't a real mountain stage but it was not boring at all. We had once again an early escape with Sylvain Chavanel, Philippe Gilbert, William Bonnet and Giampaolo Cheula. At the second last mountain, a second classed hill, Bonnet and Cheula had to leave Chavanel and Gilbert alone and they went on untill the last climb of the day.

In the peloton there were a lot of falls, one of them containing Alexandrz Vinokourov, the favourite for the Tour de France victory, and he had to chase the peloton but at the end he lost 1.20 minutes on them.In the peloton it became a sprint with a mix of sprinters and riders who try to get a good classification. Pozatto came out as the quickest and won the stage.

For Euskaltel there were some good general ranking changes. Mikel Astarloza went from 11 to 7, Ruben Perez got the 18th spot and Haimar Zubeldia went from 90 to 49 !!

Stage Result

1 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Liquigas 4.39.01 (39.67 km/h)

2 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank ST

3 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre - Fondital ST

...

18. Inigo Landaluze ST

31. Haimar Zubeldia ST

34. Ruben Perez ST

35. Mikel Astarloza ST

79. Igor Anton +0:28

87. Amets Txurruka +1:20

91. Jorge Azanza +1:20

99. Inaki Isasi +1:20

107. Gorka Verdugo +4:29

General Ranking

1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 28.56

2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana +0.33

3 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Liquigas +0.35

...

8. Mikel Astarloza +0:49

16. Ruben Perez +0:56

49. Haimar Zubeldia +1:17

66. Inigo Landaluze +1:28

88. Igor Anton +2:33

95. Amets Txurruka +2.48

98. Inaki Isasi +2:56

99. Jorge Azanza +2:56

140. Gorka Verdugo +8:47

Tdf Stage 5 Villers Cotterêts - Joigny

Today another typical sprinters stage and another quite boring race. An early escape with Flecha, Verdugo, Sprick, Knees, Chavanel but at 5km before the finish they were taken again so a sprint could start. It was an unorganised sprint but with a great winner Thor Hushovd.

For Euskaltel there was Gorka Verdugo in the early escape and he did the most work in the escape. In the sprint there was Ruben Perez with a good 12th place and Inaki Isasi with a 20th place.

Stage Result
1 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 4.37.47 (41.69 km/h)
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld ST
3 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank ST
...
12. Ruben Perez ST
20. Inaki Isasi ST
62. Igor Anton ST
93. Mikel Astarloza ST
106. Haimar Zubeldia ST
113. Inigo Landaluze ST
128. Jorge Azanza ST
145. Amets Txurruka ST
183. Gorka Verdugo +3:08

General Ranking
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 19.49.55
2 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole +0.29
3 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana +0.33
...
11. Mikel Astarloza +0:49
23. Ruben Perez +0:56
90. Haimar Zubeldia +1:17
129. Inigo Landaluze +1:28
131. Amets Txurruka +1:28
145. Inaki Isasi +1:36
147. Jorge Azanza +1:38
163. Igor Anton +2:05
178. Gorka Verdugo +4:18

Tdf Stage 4 Waregem - Compiègne

Today I went with a friend to the tour myself. Of course I wanted an autograph of some Euskaltel riders, especially Haimar Zubeldia, and I got 4 of them : Haimar Zubeldia, Mikel Astarloza, Inaki Isasi and Inigo Landaluze for Euskaltel and Romain Feillu for Agritubel. My friend and I also took a lot of pictures from everything from Euskaltel, but these will folow later.

Despite I was at the start, it didn't encourage the riders to do something great. It was one of the most boring stages of the tour I've ever seen untill 5km from the finish. There was an early escape with Nicolas Vogondy and Mathieu Ladagnous and later also with Stephane Auge and Frederik Willems. The peloton didn't think they should have a chance but they had to drive very hard to get them back. At the end there was a very confusing sprint and Fabian Cancellara took advantage of this and won the stage.

For Euskaltel only Mikel Astarloza showed himself. He took 4 seconds at the first and third intermediate sprint.

Stage Result

1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 6.36.15 (35.81km/h)

2 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram ST

3 Danilo Napolitano (Ita) Lampre - Fondital ST

...

35. Inaki Isasi ST

62. Mikel Astarloza ST

68. Haimar Zubeldia ST

69. Ruben Perez ST

95. Jorge Azanza ST

99. Amets Txurruka ST

128. Gorka Verdugo ST

161. Inigo Landaluze ST

175. Igor Anton +0.43

General Ranking

1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 15.12.08

2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana +0.33

3 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir +0.41

...

10. Mikel Astarloza +0.49

22. Ruben Perez +0.56

76. Gorka Verdugo +1.14

92. Haimar Zubeldia +1.17

133. Inigo Landaluze +1.28

135. Amets Txurruka +1.28

150. Inaki Isasi +1.36

152. Jorge Azanza +1.36

171. Igor Anton +2.05

Points Classification

1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 80 pts

2 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor - Lotto 74

3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram 62

...

26. Ruben Perez 15

46. Mikel Astarloza 4

TdF Stage 3 : Dunkerque - Gent

Today the Tour de France entered Belgium and thousands of crazy cycling fans would be on the road to see their Tom Boonen win the sprint in Gent. Sadly enough the rain was a partypooper and this was also an obstacle for the drivers.

The race became a typical sprinterstage. Three men Ruben Perez, Marcel Sieberg and Cedric Herve escaped early and they kept their lead untill 3km before the finish. Then the sprint would start but with a huge fall it became a sprint with a small group. Gert Steegmans started the sprint for Tom Boonen but he was too quick and won the stage before Boonen.

For Euskaltel there was of course the escape with Ruben Perez. In the sprint no one could compete because of the huge fall in the peloton.

Stage Result
1 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic 3.48.22
2 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic ST
3 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Liquigas ST
...
57. Mikel Astarloza ST
67. Inaki Isasi ST
68. Ruben Perez ST
73. Haimar Zubeldia ST
74. Jorge Azanza ST
105. Amets Txurruka ST
109. Gorka Verdugo ST
162. Igor Anton ST
176. Inigo Landaluze ST

General Ranking
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 8.36.13
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana +0.13
3 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir +0.21
...
16. Mikel Astarloza +0.33
22. Ruben Perez +0.36
79. Gorka Verdugo +0.54
96. Haimar Zubeldia +0.57
117. Igor Anton +1.02
141. Inigo Landaluze +1.08
143. Amets Txurruka +1.08
160. Inaki Isasi +1.16
162. Jorge Azanza +1.16

Tdf Stage 2 : London - Canterbury

Not only the prologue but also the first stage started in London and the first 30km would become a publicity ride for the big city and then ending in a sprint in Canterbury. After the real start outside London, Romain Feillu would become the first attacker of the Tour de France 2007. After a few other attacks the real escape of the day was made with David Millar, Augé, Grivko, Bichot and Kushynski. But of course they didn't have a chance against the big peloton and the escape was stopped 20km before the finish.

About 20km ago, a crash was reported with Robbie McEwen as one of the victims. He and his teammates started a come-back and at 5km before the finish the Australian came back in the peloton. No one expected Robbie to compete in the sprint but with a great end shot he overclassed al the other sprinters and achieved his 12th victory in the Tour de France.

For Euskaltel there was nothing big to mention, only a disappointing 23th place for Ruben Perez in the sprint.

Stage Rank
1 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor-Lotto 04:39:01
2 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole ST
3 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep-Innergetic ST
...
23. Ruben Perez ST
45. Inaki Isasi ST
75. Haimar Zubeldia ST
96. Mikel Astarloza ST
97. Gorka Verdugo ST
132. Igor Anton ST
144. Amets Txurruka ST
150. Inigo Landaluze ST
156. Jorge Azanza ST

General Ranking
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 04:47:51
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana +0:13
3 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval-Prodir +0:21
...
15. Mikel Astarloza +0:33
53. Ruben Perez +0:48
78. Gorka Verdugo +0:54
94. Haimar Zubeldia +0:57
116. Igor Anton +1:02
142. Inigo Landaluze +1:08
144. Amets Txurruka +1:08
160. Inaki Isasi +1:16
162. Jorge Azanza +1:16

TdF Stage 1 - London

The Tour de France 2007 started on 07-07-07 in one of the biggest cities in the world London. Not only the tour was going on there but also Live Earth, Wimbledon and a Grand Prix but still thousands of people came to see the riders.

In the beginning of the prologue the Russians were leading. Both Vladimir Gusev and Vladimir Karpets set a good time untill Astana-driver Andreas Klöden came. He crushed the best time from Gusev with 12 seconds. Almost everybody failed to get a better time even Vinokourov, Millar and Wiggins but then Fabian Cancellara came. At the first check-point he already was 7 seconds ahead of Klöden and at the finish he enlarged this to 12 seconds. Biggest loser of the day was Carlos Sastre who lost almost a minute over the 7.9 km long stage.

For Euskaltel Mikel Astarloza made a great performance. He was in the top 10 for a very long time and at the end he became fourteenth, a great result. For Haimar Zubeldia the time trial wasn't a succes at all, he finished 96th, losing 57 seconds against Cancellara.

Prologue
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC 8.50
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 9.03
3 George Hincapie (USA) Discovery Channel 9.13
...
14 Mikel Astarloza 9.23
55 Ruben Perez 9.38
80 Gorka Verdugo 9.44
96 Haimar Zubeldia 9.47
118 Igor Anton 9.52
144 Inigo Landaluze 9.58
147 Amets Txurruka 9.58
165 Inaki Isasi 10.06
167 Jorge Azanza 10.06

Team Tour de France

Last year the Tour hasn't been a great succes for Euskaltel, except for the ninth place in the general ranking from Haimar Zubeldia, but no stage victories. This year they will come to the Tour de France with a team that is composed with old experienced riders and some new talent.

Euskaltel 2007 :

71. Haimar Zubeldia : He will be the leader of the team and has to try to get a top ten rank again or even more, a top 5 like he did in 2003. In the Dauphine Libere he showed us that he's in a great shape so we can except something from him.

72. Igor Anton : A new talent from Euskaltel who has won a stage in the Tour of Spain last year and this year in the Tour of Romandie. He has to try to win a stage in the mountains.

73. Mikel Astarloza : A rider who can go for a good top 20 rank seeing his great performance in the Dauphine Libere where he achieved a great seventh place in the overall rank.

74. Jorge Azanza : He has to help Haimar in the flat stages.

75. Inaki Isasi : Last year he got some good top 10 ranks in sprints so maybe this year a victory should be able in one of the early stages.

76. Inigo Landaluze : Another driver who can be able to win a mountain stage when he gets in an early escape.

77. Ruben Perez : A good sprinter who should be able to get some good top 10 ranks.

78. Amets Txurruka : He showed his talent for the first time in the Tour of Romandie where he attacked a couple of times and showed us his climb talent. We can expect something from him.

79. Gorka Verdugo : A good ride who has to help Haimar in the mountain stages.


Proloog start times
Gorka Verdugo (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 15:14
Mikel Astarloza (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 15:35
Jorge Azanza (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 15:56
Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 16:17
Amets Txurruka (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 16:38
Inaki Isasi (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 16:59
Inigo Landaluze (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 17:20
Igor Anton (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 17:41
Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 18:02


Every day I will try to post the results and a bit of comment about the stage.

Victories in 2007

Awaiting the tour de france these are the victories Euskaltel already won this year.

Tour of Mallorca Stage 5 Trofeo Calvia : UNAI ETXEBARRIA
Tirreno Adriatico Stage 7 : KOLDO FERNANDEZ
Tour of The Basque Provinces Stage 6 : SAMUEL SANCHEZ
Tour of Romandy Stage 4 : IGOR ANTON
Tour of Catalonia Stage 7 : SAMUEL SANCHEZ



Etxebarria Fernandez Anton Sanchez



With these victories, I think Euskaltel had a pretty good year if you see that 4 of the 5 victories were obtained in Protour races.

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February 2007

The year started great for Euskaltel ! In the Tour of Mallorca, a race with 5 stages where the riders don't have to drive all the stages, Unai Etxebarria took the first victory for Euskaltel in 2007 in the Trofeo Calvia. There was also a good result from Koldo Fernandez who finished fourth in the first stage, the Trofeo Mallorca.

1)Trofeo Mallorca
1. Oscar Freire
2. Jose Joaquin Rojas
3. Guennadi Mikhailov
4. Koldo Fernandez
...
30. Benat Albizuri
37. Alan Perez
43. Andoni Aranaga
51. Markel Irizar
60. Unai Etxebarria
72. Ivan Luengo
75. Aitor Hernandez
130. Jorge Azanza
173. Unai Uribarri

2)Trofeo Cala Millor - Cala Bona
1. Vicente Reynes
2. Jose Joaquin Rojas
3. Tomas Vaitkus
...
29. Benat Albizuri
109. Andoni Aranaga
113. Koldo Fernandez
114. Alan Perez
154. Ivan Luengo
168. Unai Uribarri
176. Iban Iriondo
181. Ivan Mayoz
183. Aketza Pena
190. Joseba Zubeldia

3)Trofeo Pollenca
1. Thomas Dekker
2. Vladimir Gusev
3. Alberto Fernandez de la Puebla
...
17. Ivan Luengo
31. Jorge Azanza
38. Aitor Hernandez
43. Markel Irizar
63. Joseba Zubeldia
67. Unai Etxebarria
94. Benat Albizuri
129. Alan Perez
135. Andoni Aranaga
144. Unai Uribarri

4) Trofeo Soller
1. Antonio Colom
2. Luis Leon Sanchez
3. Alberto Contador
...
19. Benat Albizuri
27. Jorge Azanza
35. Aitor Hernandez
49. Ivan Luengo
85. Ivan Mayoz
92. Markel Irizar
98. Aketza Pena
123. Joseba Zubeldia
124. Alan Perez

5) Trofeo Calvia
1. Unai Etxebarria
2. Francisco Jose Ventoso
3. Murilo Fischer
...
6. Koldo Fernandez
52. Ivan Luengo
90. Iban Iriondo
94. Joseba Zubeldia
100. Unai Uribarri
117. Aketza Pena
158. Alan Perez
159. Benat Albizuri

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Team 2007

For Euskaltel, 2007 would become the year of the change. Not only some good riders left (Iban Mayo, David Lopez Garcia, Iker Camano,...) and other new and promissing riders were attracted to the team (Aitor Galdos, Amets Txurruka, Mikel Astarloza,...) but also the staff and the mind of the team changed. This year the focus would be more on the team spirit instead of the individual.

EUSKALTEL 2007

stayers

Benat Albizuri

Igor Anton

Andoni Aranaga

Unai Etxebarria

Koldo Fernandez

Aitor Hernandez

Iban Iriondo

Markel Irizar

Inaki Isasi

Inigo Landaluze

Anton Luengo

Ivan Mayoz

Aketza Pena

Alan Perez

Ruben Perez

Samuel Sanchez

Unai Uribarri

Gorka Verdugo

Haimar Zubeldia

Joseba Zubeldia

Newbies

Lander Aperribai

Mikel Astarloza (AG2R)

Jorge Azanza (Kaiku)

Jon Bru (Kaiku)

Aitor Galdos (Panaria)

Dionisio Galparsoro (Kaiku)

Andoni Lafuente

Juan Jose Oroz

Amets Txurruka (Barloworld)

Iban Velasco (Orbea)

Leavers

Joseba Albizu
Iker Camano (Saunier Duval)
Iker Flores (Fuerteventura-Canarias)
Gorka Gonzalez
David Herrero (Karpin)
Roberto Laiseka
David Lopez Garcia (Caisse d'epargne)
Iban Mayo (Saunier Duval)
Josu Silloniz
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Welcome

Welcome everybody to my new blog TEAM-EUSKALTEL !!

This blog is specially made for the best cycling team of the world Euskaltel-Euskadi so this blog will contain results and news from the team and also my view on what they should do and have done.

If you like Euskaltel too or you just want to say something about my blog, you can always send me an email at lizzard4567@hotmail.com . My favourite cyclist is Haimar Zubeldia.


Have fun, Lizzard4567