Pablo Urtasun 7th in Madrid

Euskaltel had a very active day in Madrid. First of all Pablo Urtasun got in a break of 13 riders but this one didn't last. Then it was up to Javier Aramendia who got in the right break together with 11 other riders. They never got more than 2 minutes advantage and were taken back only three kilometres before the finish. In the sprint Pablo Urtasun was able to place himself on a nice 7th place.

Results
1. Francisco Ventoso CARMIOORO 4:11:41
2. Aaron Kemps ROCK RACING ST
3. Francisco Pacheco CONTENTPOLIS ST
...
7. Pablo Urtasun ST
31. Sergio De Lis ST
45. Aitor Hernandez ST
70. Mikel Nieve ST
71. Josu Agirre ST
98. Javier Aramendia ST

Egoi loses mountain jersey

Euskaltel was omnipresent in the 13th stage of the Tour de France. First of all Rubén Pérez was in the break of the day and was able to follow Sylvain Chavanel and Heinrich Haussler, but on the category one climb he had to let go the other two. Then Amets went in the attack with Brice Feillu. In my opinion a bit too late cause it was clear that he was very good but the gap with winner Haussler was just too big, he came in second more than 4 minutes down. The worst news came from Egoi Martinez who lost his mountains jersey. On the first climb he was able to outsprint Franco Pellizotti but then he had to let go the peloton and couldn't defend his jersey anymore. He's now 4 points behind, still able to take it back in the stages this weekend.

Results
1. Heinrich Haussler CERVELO 4:56:26
2. Amets Txurruka EUSKALTEL +4:11
3. Brice Feillu AGRITUBEL +6:13
...
28. Mikel Astarloza +6:43
54. Gorka Verdugo +6:43
56. Haimar Zubeldia +6:43
61. Igor Anton +6:43
71. Egoi Martinez +7:12
80. Rubén Pérez +7:43
108. Alan Perez +20:21
109. Juan José Oroz +20:21

Prologue in Vuelta a Madrid

Euskaltel is not only active on french ground at the moment, they are also competing in the Vuelta a Madrid. There everything started with a 8.1-kilometre long prologue. Josu Agirre, Aitor Hernandez and Pablo Urtasun all gave their all but ended on a 19th, 20th and 26th position. Two other stages are yet to come, hopefully they can take home one, cause we really need a victory!

Results
1. Hector Guerra Liberty Seguros 09:57
2. Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne +0:23
3. Xavier Tondo Andalucia +0:25
...
19. Josu Agirre +0:46
20. Aitor Hernandez +0:47
26. Pablo Urtasun +0:50
44. Javier Aramendia +0:58
54. Sergio De Lis +1:04
57. Mikel Nieve +1:05
109. Andoni Lafuente +1:49

Iñigo Landaluze caught for using CERA

Before the official message of the UCI, Euskaltel released a mail stating their opinion about Iñigo Landaluze. The 32-year old rider from Algorta was caught for using CERA during this year's Dauphiné Libéré. He was already held out of the Spanish Championships and won't ride for Euskaltel anymore untill more details are revealed. It's not the first time that Landaluze got caught. In 2005, after his win in the Dauphiné Libéré, he was also suspended but after some lawyer work, he could stay in the team. Of course this news will hurt all Euskaltel fans, but in these hard times for cycling, the 'bad' guys have to leave.

Egoi still king of the mountains

It has been two quite boring days in the Tour de France. Yesterday Egoi went in the attack because his biggest opponent Franco Pellizotti attacked to get the mountains jersey. On all the mountains Franco was able to beat Egoi, but he still has a lead of 18 points but I'm sure Franco will keep on attacking. Aupa Egoi!

Another rest day for Euskaltel

It was a quiet day for Euskaltel in the stage from Limoges to Issoudun. In the sprint Ruben Perez placed himself 18th, but it shows that he hasn't got the strength yet to compete with the big guys. Mikel Astarloza lost 15 seconds due to a stupid break in the peloton and is now placed 18th in the general rank.

Results
1. Mark Cavendish Columbia 4:46:43
2. Thor Hushovd Cervélo ST
3. Tyler Farrar Garmin ST
...
18. Ruben Perez ST
42. Egoi Martinez ST
68. Mikel Astarloza +0:15
114. Gorka Verdugo +0:15
115. Igor Anton +0:15
116. Amets Txurruka +0:15
134. Alan Perez +0:15
147. Juan José Oroz +0:15

Mixed feelings about first Tourweek

The first week of the Tour de France has been one of ups and downs for everyone, and also for Euskaltel. Koldo hasn't been able to place himself in a sprint and in one of the Pyrenees stages he came in outside the time limit all by himself. Mikel Astarloza lost some time because of a fall, but was able to take the time back with a good stage in the Pyrenees where he became onfortunate third after Luis Léon Sanchez and Sandy Casar after he gave everything to reel Efimkin back in. Juan José Oroz is also riding a good Tour, finishing before the grupetto's in the mountain stages. Amets Txurruka has been himself, attacking in almost every stage, but also helping other team members like Egoi Martinez. He made the sun shine for Euskaltel by getting the mountains jersey in the last stage, although he let go 20 points on the Tourmalet which I don't understand. Astana-rider, but still Euskaltel in our hearts, Haimar Zubeldia has been riding his ass of for Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador, I never saw him riding in front of the peloton that much!

General Rank
1. Rinaldo Nocentini AG2R 34:24:21
2. Alberto Contador Astana +0:06
3. Lance Armstrong Astana +0:08
...
17. Mikel Astarloza +3:02
22. Haimar Zubeldia +4:14
48. Egoi Martinez +15:30
54. Amets Txurruka +20:13
77. Juan José Oroz +34:51
79. Gorka Verdugo +35:22
85. Igor Anton +39:02
105. Ruben Perez +52:49
161. Alan Perez +1:23:52

Holiday time

I know I've only just started again with posting, but it's time for me to take some vacation and completely relax. Of course I will keep on following the Tour and support our orange guys in the hopes of winning a stage. Aupa!

Injury day for Euskaltel

It was a bad first day for Euskaltel in the Tour de France. After a good start from Amets and Igor on the first mountain, Igor and Alan fell down, luckily only leaving some scratches. Then all went well for Koldo in the sprint until 900 metres when he caused a crash and he also took other sprinters like Boonen and Freire out of competition. He hasn't made himself popular, if you ask me. Fortunately he didn't get a real injury, just some bruises and scratches. Mikel still maintained his 12th spot in the general.
Results

1. Mark Cavendish Team Columbia 4:30:02

2. Tyler Farrar Garmin ST

3. Romain Feillu Agritubel ST

...
21. Alan Perez ST

33. Egoi Martinez ST

39. Mikel Astarloza ST

65. Juan José Oroz ST

68. Igor Anton ST

72. Ruben Perez ST

110. Amets Txurruka ST

124. Haimar Zubeldia ST

126. Gorka Verdugo ST

177. Koldo Fernandez ST

Mikel opens Tour with 12th spot

Mikel Astarloza is on track for his goal, a top ten position in the Tour de France. In the opening prologue he finished 12th, 44 seconds behind the expected winner Fabian Cancellara. He left some important names behind him like the Schleck brothers, Menchov, Kirchen and last year's winner Sastre. The other guys all performed like they used to, Oroz did good too with a 30th spot. Koldo saved himself for the sprint of tomorrow, where he will have to face big guns like Cavendish, Freire, Boonen, Hushovd and other Tyler Farrars.

Results
1. Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank 19:32
2. Alberto Contador Astana +0:18
3. Bradley Wiggins Garmin +0:19
...
12. Mikel Astarloza +0:44
30. Juan Jose Oroz +01:14
32. Gorka Verdugo +01:15
54. Haimar Zubeldia +1:31
69. Igor Anton +1:38
82. Amets Txurruka +1:45
115. Egoi Martinez +1:59
145. Ruben Perez +2:19
162. Alan Perez +2:35
168. Koldo Fernandez +2:40

New bike for the Tour

Especially for the Tour de France Orbea made a new bike to support our guys in the next weeks. A nice model if you ask me!

Ready for the Tour!

This saturday the biggest cycling event of the year will start and of course, as the most important team, Euskaltel will be present. These are the 9 riders that will represent our beloved orange jersey and hopefully make us proud.

• Igor Anton: After the Spanish Championships it looks like he's getting in shape, he probably won't go for the general rank, but I see him getting in a break in a mountain stage somewhere in the last week and then he should be able to finish it. Maybe he can show us something on the Mont Ventoux, where he became second once in the Dauphiné.
• Mikel Astarloza: I'm not sure what to expect from him. Just like Anton he rode a great Spanish Championships, but it's so hard for him to finish anything so hoping for a stage win is difficult. In the general it will even get tougher to get a top 10 spot, looking at all the big guns that will be at the start.
• Koldo Fernandez: It won't be easy for Koldo to win a sprint in the Tour, it's after all the biggest race of the year and all the great sprinters will be present, wel except maybe Boonen. Maybe he should just try to get in the right break and then finish it off in a small group.
• Egoi Martinez: Of course we can expect to get some attacks from this man. After his leader's jersey in the Vuelta, I'm sure he wants to show something in the Tour too and after his missed stage win at Prato Nevoso last year, he will definitely want to take revenge.
• Juan José Oroz: I'm excited to see what this young man will be able to see. He rode a good Tour de Suisse where he stayed with the big guns for quite a while, so maybe when he doesn't have to work too hard for the team, he can try something on his own.
• Alan Perez: I'm always anxious to see what Alan will do. He has definitely the potential to gain a stage, but it just never works out for him. Just like Oroz, if he doesn't have to work for the team, he should be able to get in a break and with a good sprint finish it off.
• Rubén Pérez: Rubén will probably the one that will have to help Koldo in the sprints, but of course with his newborn sprinting skills, he can try it on his own too, although I don't think he has already the experience to beat Cavendish, Freire ... but a top 10 position is possible.
• Amets Txurruka: Our most competitive rider of 2007 will probably be aiming for some good attacks and with his power I'm sure he could be able to win a stage. Last year he gave it all for the team and he'll probably do the same this year.
• Gorka Verdugo: Good-old Gorka is of course a master gregario for Mikel and Igor in the mountains. Individual he hasn't been able to improve a lot after his good start of the year in 2008, but hopefully this can change.

So you see, a lot of potential and let's hope for the best. AUPA!

The Spanish Championships

This weekend Euskaltel participated in the Spanish Championships. First up was the time-trial and only three of our orange guys had the guts to test themselves here. The brave ones were of course Markel Irizar and youngsters Josu Agirre and Javier Aramendia. Although Markel couldn't life up to his expectations after some good time trials in the Tour de Suisse, he became 13th, Josu 16th and Javier 20th, but keep in mind the olympic spirit 'Participating is more important than winning!' (yeah rights :p)

In the road race Euskaltel showed up with a 15-head strong bunch full of motivated riders. With the hilly ride there were some chances for the more advanced climbers. Early in the race Irizar, Azanza, Martinez, Rubén and Josu all tried their luck but it was too early to keep a solid break. At the end Anton got away solo, but was joined by Valverde, Plaza, Zaballa and our Mikel Astarloza. The latter sprinted away in the last kilometres and just got passed in the final metres by Rubén Plaza. Once again no big shot for Euskadi, but still a good 3rd and 5th place!

Aitor Galdos going strong in Luxemburg

After a good opening time trial, a good sprint and a third spot in the third stage, Aitor Galdos is doing extremel well in the Tour of Luxemburg. With only two stages to go, he's now fourth in the general rank, only six seconds from leader Assan Bazayev. In the second stage, it was once again Rubén Pérez who competed for the sprint victory, coming in seventh.

Line-ups Luxemburg & Dauphiné Libéré

I've been terribly busy the last few weeks because my exams are coming up in a week, but tomorrow Euskaltel will start to race again in the Tour of Luxemburg. The riders there will be Amets Txurruka, Rubén Pérez, Pablo Urtasun, Markel Irizar, Aitor Galdos, Iván Velasco, Aitor Hernández and Josu Agirre. Looks like me something for the sprinters.
Next sunday the Dauphiné Libéré will also start. There the big Tour de France contenders will take of. Euskaltel will send Iñigo Landaluze, Igor Anton, Mikel Astarloza, Iñaki Isasi, Egoi Martinez, Mikel Nieve, Alan Perez and Gorka Verdugo. A nice climbing team if you ask me! Please deliver us another victory!