vrijdag 8 februari 2008

Euskaltel 2008 in International Magazines

Yesterday I was in Antwerp and I discovered a little shop with 8000 magazines. So of course I went straight for the cycling magazines and discovered three international (1 from France and 2 from the UK) magazines. They all dedicated this edition to the new teams so I will post what they had to say about Euskaltel

1. ProCycling
Last year : Gonzalez de Galdeano has every right to be pleased about last year, given the team is limited to Basque riders or those linked to the region. While the highlights were Sanchez's three wins and third place in the Vuelta, Zubeldia and Astarloza top10 at the Tour, where Txurruka's most aggressive rider award got the team there on the podium for the first time, leaving the ghost of Iban Mayo to rest.
Prognosis : Their Classics hopes may still rest on what Sanchez can conjure up on his own in the Ardennes, but they'll be fiercely competitive in those races that matter to them (Tour, Vuelta, Basque Country)
Bubbling under : Igor Anton and Koldo Fernandez
Needs a Result : Haimar Zubeldia

2. CycleSport
Last year : A lean year for wins. Koldo Fernandez won a stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, Igor Anton took one in the Tour of Romandy, Samuel Sanchez skipped the Tour but won stages in the Tour of the Basque Country, Catalonia and then three in the Vuelta.
New in 2008 : Very little, the signing of Egoi Martinez from Discovery Channel could turn out to be a fine one
Major Target :Sanchez wants to ride the Tour de France and get as high as possible on the GC, Zubeldia wants to win the Tour of the Basque Country and get a podium spot in the Vuelta, Txurruka wants the white jersey in the tour.
And they end with a picture of Gorka Verdugo with the name Haimar Zubeldia next to him :P

3. Planete Cyclisme
Last year : Without great victories, we have seen the Basques a lot in the small, medium and big races. But they have to aim higher.
Next year : Protour : ****, Classics : ****, Big Tours : ***

3 opmerkingen:

  1. Nils aka Prince :D
    I finally recognized you.

    This year ten stage victories would be nice. Euskaltel has to win more than last year.

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