Vuelta 2 : Koldo 4th, Egoi Combinada

The second stage of the Vuelta came down to the predicted sprint. There Koldo planted himself between the best sprinters and became fourth, after Boonen, Bennati and Zabel. I'm sure he will get some other opportunities to improve that result and maybe even win a stage. In the general rank Euskaltel has now 4 men in the top 11 and is second in the teams classification. Egoi Martinez is, after his great first stage, leading the combination classification. Oddly Amets once again lost time, this time 6 minutes, I really have no clue how this can happen.

Results
1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step 4.25.24 (38.12km/h)
2 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
...
4. Koldo Fernandez ST
52. Alan Perez ST
54. Igor Anton ST
58. Egoi Martinez ST
71. Mikel Astarloza ST
72. Iñigo Landaluze ST
73. Ivan Velasco ST
110. Amets Txurruka +5:53
115. Ruben Perez +7:25

General Rank
1 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas 8.56.27
2 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0.07
3 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step 0.10
...
5. Egoi Martinez +0:22
7. Iñigo Landaluze +0:26
10. Igor Anton +0:28
11. Mikel Astarloza +0:28
81. Alan Perez +0:50
84. Koldo Fernandez +0:57
89. Ivan Velasco +1:15
109. Amets Txurruka +7:16
111. Ruben Perez +7:53

Germany 3 : Haimar 19th

Once again there wasn't much basque orange to see in the Deutschland Tour. The third stage was on schedule and Euskaltel didn't really participate in the race. At the finish, it went between the general rank contenders and Haimar could place himself 19th. Thanks to this result, his now 11th in the general rank.

Results
1. Leonardo Bertagnolli Liquigas 5:20:34
2. Rigoberto Uran Caisse d'Epargne ST
3. Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia ST
...
19. Haimar Zubeldia ST
33. Juan Jose Oroz +0:45
38. Iñaki Isasi +0:45
58. Aitor Hernandez +3:41
77. Markel Irizar +4:16
85. Jorge Azanza +4:16
143. Jon Bru +12:00
144. Lander Aperribay +12:00

General Rank
1. Linus Gerdemann Team Columbia 13:56:11
2. Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia +0:17
3. Janez Brajkovic Astana +0:20
...
11. Haimar Zubeldia +2:16
31. Iñaki Isasi +7:43
47. Jorge Azanza +10:34
53. Markel Irizar +11:56
56. Juan Jose Oroz +12:41
80. Aitor Hernandez +19:36
102. Jon Bru +27:21
113. Lander Aperribay +28:51

Gorka extends, Bru and Galparsoro away

First of all some good news. Gorka Verdugo has extended his contract with Euskaltel till 2010. After his great performances in Valenciana, Paris-Nice and Catalunya and of course the Tour where he did great things for Samuel, he assured himself of a limited place in the for next year. Unlike Verdugo, Jon Bru and Dioni Galparsoro weren't able to impress the staff of Euskaltel and they will have to leave Euskaltel next year. This was announced by Madariage against biciciclismo.

Vuelta 1 : Egoi in the attack

In the first real stage of the Tour of Spain, Euskaltel was once again in the front. Egoi Martinez pulled of a great attack, first with 3 others, then only with Rosendo, but he failed and with 20 kilometres to go his story was over. Then Iñigo Landaluze tried to get away from the peloton with some others but that didn't work out. In the end Koldo couldn't keep up with the pace and couldn't sprint with the others. Anton was the first Euskaltel rider to finish on a 24th place. Amets Txurruka lost, like in the Tour, some time.

Results
1 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 4.23.00 (40.221 km/h)
2 Davide Rebellin (Ita) Gerolsteiner 0.02
3 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre
...
24. Igor Anton +0:02
34. Alan Perez +0:02
38. Iñigo Landaluze +0:02
39. Ruben Perez +0:02
50. Egoi Martinez +0:02
62. Ivan Velasco +0:02
82. Mikel Astarloza +0:02
102. Koldo Fernandez +0:31
111. Amets Txurruka +0:57

Germany 2 : Markel attacked, Haimar 13th

In the second stage of the Tour of Germany Markel Irizar felt good and got in the escape of the day. Despite his good efforts, the break didn't last and they were reeled back in with 5 kilometres to go. Then Rigoberto Uran attacked,and again only Haimar could follow a bit, but he never got a chance to win the stage. Uran was passed by De La Fuente and he won, Haimar became 13th.

Results
1. David de la Fuente Scott-American Beef 03:48:38
2. Pietro Caucchioli Crédit Agricole +0:02
3. Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia +0:02
...
13. Haimar Zubeldia +0:10
35. Jon Bru +0:39
40. Jorge Azanza +0:44
72. Iñaki Isasi ++1:29
75. Aitor Hernandez +1:29
83. Markel Irizar +2:06
84. Lander Aperribay +2:06
96. Juan Jose Oroz +2:06

Vuelta TTT : Euskaltel magnificent !!!!

This year the Vuelta d'España started with a 7.7 kilometres long team time trial in Granada. Liquigas set the first time and it stayed on top of the tables. Euskaltel came closest to this time only 8 seconds behind. With this second place, Euskaltel probably got his best place in a team time trial ever !! A really super great result!! Ivan Velasco and Alan Perez weren't able to keep track with the other 7, but I'm sure they did their work in the beginning of the race.

Results
1 Liquigas 8.21 (55.33 km/h)
2 Euskaltel - Euskadi 0.08
3 Caisse d'Epargne 0.09

General Rank
1 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Liquigas 8.21
2 Valerio Agnoli (Ita) Liquigas
3 Manuel Quinziato (Ita) Liquigas
...
8. Igor Anton +0:08
9. Koldo Fernandez +0:08
10. Mikel Astarloza +0:08
11. Iñigo Landaluze +0:08
12. Egoi Martinez +0:08
13. Amets Txurruka +0:08
14. Ruben Perez +0:08
137. Alan Perez +0:30
157. Ivan Velasco +0:57

Germany 1 : Haimar 14th

In the first stage and immediately queens stage of the Tour of Germany, Euskaltel wasn't able to participate in front of the race. No one could get in the early escape and when at the end the young German Gerdemann attacked only Haimar could stay on a fair distance. He became 14th, 2 minutes down on winner Gerdemann and is now 13th in the general rank.

Results
1 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Team Columbia 4.42.54 (37.75 km/h)
2 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia 0.16
3 Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana
...
14. Haimar Zubeldia +1:58
37. Jorge Azanza +5:21
46. Iñaki Isasi +5:21
51. Markel Irizar +5:30
77. Juan Jose Oroz +9:46
93. Jon Bru +14:25
97. Lander Aperribay +14:25
98. Aitor Hernandez +14:25

General Rank
1 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Team Columbia 4.46.57
2 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia 0.17
3 Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana 0.20
...
13. Haimar Zubeldia +2:08
42. Iñaki Isasi +5:31
48. Jorge Azanza +5:36
49. Markel Irizar +5:36
74. Juan Jose Oroz +9:52
97. Aitor Hernandez +14:28
119. Jon Bru +14:44
123. Lander Aperribay +14:47

Vuelta d'España

Tomorrow the Tour of Spain will start and Euskaltel will send a strong team. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano told that they absolutely wanted a stage victory and maybe a podium spot, here are the nine :

• Igor Anton : The biggest hope for Euskaltel. He definitely will be able to take a victory and is our biggest hope for a podium spot. Seeing his good results last year and his shape in Puertos, he can really impress the world now.
• Mikel Astarloza : After the Tour, he will probably be over his top, but he will be definitely a great help for Anton. Maybe he can get in an escape and finish it or go for a top 10 spot.
• Koldo Fernandez : The hope for Euskaltel when it comes down on a sprint. This year he showed in the Giro that he can compete with the best and now in Spain, he will even be better.
• Egoi Martinez : He's a certainty to be in a good escape and maybe this time, unlike in the Tour, he will bring us a stage victory.
• Iñigo Landaluze : The man in shape. I don't know what to expect from him but I'm sure he will bring us some exciting moments.
• Amets Txurruka : He didn't ride the Tour like I expected, but I'm sure he will try to make up for that, with some good attacks like we're used from him.
• Ruben Perez : A strong rider that likes to attack, but will probably a helper in the flat stages for Anton.
• Alan Perez : Like Ruben, a strong rider but will ride for Anton
• Ivan Velasco : Like the two above. He's in good shape so I'm anxious to see what he can do.

Germany prologue : Hernandez 27th

Euskaltel didn't start good in the Tour of Germany's opening prologue. Aitor Hernandez was the best of them on a 27th place, 7 seconds down on winner Lancaster.

1 Brett Lancaster (Aus) Team Milram 3.59 (54.23 km/h)
2 Gustav Erik Larsson (Swe) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
3 Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Columbia 0.02
...
27. Aitor Hernandez +0:07
42. Markel Irizar +0:10
44. Juan Jose Oroz +0:10
70. Iñaki Isasi +0:14
72. Haimar Zubeldia +0:14
116. Jorge Azanza +0:19
135. Jon Bru +0:23
143. Lander Aperribay +0:26

Plouay : Oroz in the attack

Once again Euskaltel couldn't convince in a race in northern Europe. This time the GP Plouay was on schedule. Oroz was in the early break but of course that didn't last untill the finish.

1 Pierrick Fédrigo (Fra) Bouygues Telecom 5.42.44
2 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre
3 David Lopez Garcia (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0.03
...
31. Haimar Zubeldia +0:13
50. Markel Irizar +4:20
70. Juan Jose Oroz +6:10
81. Jon Bru +9:09
82. Iñaki Isasi +9:09
83. Jorge Azanza +9:09

Clasica Los Puertos : Great teamwork

Better late than never, here are the results of the Clasica Los Puertos. Here Euskaltel did a really good job, making the race with Igor and Iñigo, but sadly they weren't able to take the victory home because of the great Astana teamwork between Leipheimer and Contador.

1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 3.15.10 (44.85 km/h)
2 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 0.41
3 Diego Gallego Arnaiz (Spa) Burgos Monumental 0.49
...
5. Iñigo Landaluze +0.58
9. Igor Anton +2:18
12. Mikel Astarloza +2:24
13. Ruben Perez +2:33
17. Egoi Martinez +2:33
27. Ivan Velasco +2:33
29. Amets Txurruka +2:33
44. Alan Perez +10:02

Eneco Tour : End rankings

Here are the end rankings of the Eneco Tour for Euskaltel, big disappointment if you ask me.

1 José Iván Gutierrez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 26.27.07
2 Sébastien Rosseler (Bel) Quick Step 0.04
3 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia 0.07
...
51. Aitor Hernandez +16:49
89. Javier Aramendia +29:11
90. Gorka Verdugo +29:23
106. Josu Agirre +36:43
107. Beñat Albizuri +36:53
108. Andoni Lafuente +37:33

Eneco 3/4/5 : Aitor shows himself

In the third, fourth and fifth stage of the Eneco Tour Euskaltel once again was invisible. Only Aitor Hernandez wanted to make us proud and rode in the break of the day in the third stage. Of course the break didn't succeed, but it was a good effort! In the fourth stage an orange rider tried to escape in the last kilometres but it was a really lame attempt.

I don't even want to give the results cause they are too poor.

Eneco 2 : Aramendia wakes up !

Finally an Euskaltel rider decided to show himself in the eneco tour. Javier Aramendia was in the break of the day in the second stage, but sadly they didn't succeed. In the last kilometres they were reeled back in by the peloton where the sprint preparations started. André Greipel won the sprint in front of Haedo and Förster. None of the Euskaltel riders ended in the first group, Andoni was first on an 85th place.

Results
1. Andre Greipel Team Columbia 3:51:31
2. Juan Jose Haedo Team CSC ST
3. Robert Förster Gerolsteiner ST
...
85. Andoni Lafuente +0:13
94. Gorka Verdugo +0:13
112. Javier Aramendia +0:13
116.Josu Agirre +0:13
122. Aitor Hernandez +0:13
124. Beñat Albizuri +0:13

Euskaltel in 2009 standings

So I did a little research on who already has a contract for next year and who doesn't. The people who definitely stay+ the newbie are :

• Samuel Sanchez (2010)
• Mikel Astarloza (2010)
• Igor Anton (2010)
• Amets Txurruka (2010)
• Ruben Perez (2010)
• Koldo Fernandez (2009)
• Egoi Martinez (2009)
• Alan Perez (2009)
• Josu Agirre (2009)
• Ivan Velasco (2009)
• Markel Irizar (2009)
• Mikel Nieve

The people that will definitely leave are :

• Haimar Zubeldia (Astana)
• Antton Luengo (Quits)

Miguel Madariaga said that 6 or 7 riders will have to leave the squad, so still 5 riders will have to leave

• Beñat Albizuri
• Lander Aperribay
• Javier Aramendia
• Jorge Azanza
• Jon Bru
• Aitor Galdos
• Dioni Galparsoro
• Aitor Hernandez
• Iñaki Isasi
• Andoni Lafuente
• Iñigo Landaluze
• Juan Jose Oroz
• Gorka Verdugo

IMO Galdos, Isasi, Landaluze, Oroz and Verdugo won't be kicked out seeing their performances this or last season. I also think that they won't fire Aramendia cause he only got one year to adjust yet. The others will all have to step up their game to compete for those last contracts.

There are also some rumours about David Herrero, Eladio Sanchez and Castroviejo coming to the team but they aren't confirmed yet so I won't think about these too much.