Tomorrow Clásica de Almeria

Tomorrow Euskaltel will participate with a very strong team in the Clásica de Almeria. Our biggest hope is probably Koldo Fernandez, who became fourth last year, if he gets over the mountains, but that doesn't seem a big problem. Others to watch Mikel Astarloza, Igor Anton, Mikel Nieve, Sergio de Lis, Amets Txurruka, Ruben Perez and Jorge Azanza.

Koldo fails in ultimate stage Algarve

Euskaltel ended with a fade out in the Volta ao Portugal. No man tried to attack and in the final sprint Koldo couldn't do what he did before and win the stage. In stead Heinrich Haussler took the victory and Koldo became 13th. Due to this bad performance he missed the sprint classification. Markel Irizar became the best one overall with a 16th spot.

Results
1. Heinrich Haussler Cervelo 4:16:04
2. Greg Van Avermaet Silence ST
3. Wouter Weylandt ST
...
13. Koldo Fernandez ST
24. Iñaki Isasi ST
38. Egoi Martinez ST
39. Ruben Perez ST
50. Pablo Urtasun ST
56. Markel Irizar ST
84. Gorka Verdugo ST
144. Alan Perez ST

Final Rank
1. Alberto Contador Astana 19:94:22
2. Sylvain Chavanel Quick Step +1:06
3. Ruben Plaza Liberty Seguros +1:07
...
16. Markel Irizar +2:34
18. Egoi Martinez +2:58
19. Gorka Verdugo +3:03
40. Ruben Perez +5:36
88. Alan Perez +9:33
108. Iñaki Isasi +12:06
125. Koldo Fernandez +20:23
127. Pablo Urtasun +20:30

Markel 15th in TT Algarve

The Volta ao Algarve was already up to its fourth stage, a time trial from Castro Marin to Tavira. Euskaltel did a pretty good job with two guys in the top twenty. Markel Irizar finished on the 15th spot, Egoi Martinez on the 19th. In the general rank Markel is now 16th, Egoi 18th and Gorka 19th. Koldo is still leading the sprint classification.

Results
1. Alberto Contador Astana 0:44:05
2. Sylvain Chavanel +0:33
3. Andreas Klöden +0:36
...
15. Markel Irizar +1:41
19. Egoi Martinez +2:05
28. Gorka Verdugo +2:35
44. Pablo Urtasun +3:27
47. Iñaki Isasi +3:37
54. Ruben Perez +3:51
62. Koldo Fernandez +4:15
69. Alan Perez +4:22

Koldo wins in Algarve

Euskaltel is doing fantastically well in the portuguese stage race Volta ao Algarve. On the first day, everything came down to a sprint and Koldo finished third, right after Haussler and van Winden. The second stage ended in a little uphill sprint and it was our Koldo Fernandez that overpowered all the others, delivering Euskaltel their first victory of the year! With his third and first place he also wore the leaders jersey. The third stage was a bit tougher, giving a first chance to the overall contenders and there Gorka Verdugo showed good form, placing himself 12th in front of big names as Klöden, Chavanel and Monfort.

Results Stage 1
1. Heinrich Haussler Cervelo 4:31:43
2. Dennis van Winden Rabobank Continental ST
3. Koldo Fernandez ST
...
43. Ruben Perez ST
49. Iñaki Isasi ST
58. Markel Irizar ST
83. Egoi Martinez ST
94. Alan Perez ST
119. Gorka Verdugo ST
160. Pablo Urtasun ST

Stage 2
1. Koldo Fernandez 4:56:54
2. Manuel Cardoso Liberty Seguros ST
3. Gerald Ciolek ST
...
30. Ruben Perez ST
35. Egoi Martinez ST
61. Markel Irizar ST
66. Gorka Verdugo ST
117. Iñaki Isasi ST
143. Alan Perez ST
161. Pablo Urtasun +0:41

Stage 3
1. Antonio Colom Katusha 4:35:42
2. Alberto Contador Astana ST
3. Ruben Plaza Liberty Seguros +0:06
...
12. Gorka Verdugo +0:22
24. Egoi Martinez +0:47
26. Markel Irizar +0:47
48. Ruben Perez +1:39
99. Alan Perez +4:14
121. Iñaki Isasi +8:26
150. Palbo Urtasun +16:16
153. Koldo Fernandez +16:16

Juanjo Oroz impresses in Andalucia

Due to a very busy period I'm in at the moment, I haven't been able to keep this blog updated, my sincere apologies for this! In the third stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia Javier Aramendia tried his luck with a break together with two other riders but in the final kilometers they failed to stay away from the raging peloton. The fourth stage was the sign for Iñigo Landaluze to wake up. He got in the break of the day but just like Javier the day before, they didn't make it till the end. Juan Jose Oroz finished on a good 15th spot, in the group of the big favourites. In the fifth and last stage both Oroz andMikel Nieve showed their great talent by finishing second and fifth, only nine seconds after winner Davide Rebellin. With his great second place, Juanjo got a sixth place in the general rank. He seems really in great shape, so maybe we can expect something when he hits the flemish classics.

Results stage 3
1. Gert Steegmans Katusha 3:55:15
2. Danilo Napolitano Katusha ST
3. Wim Stroetinga Milram ST
...
41. Andoni Lafuente ST
42. Juan Jose Oroz ST
48. Jorge Azanza ST
58. Iñigo Landaluze ST
60. Javier Aramendia ST
70. Samuel Sanchez ST
73. Mikel Nieve ST

Results stage 4
1. Davide Rebellin Serramenti 4:17:14
2. Filippo Pozzato Liquigas ST
3. Cadel Evans Silence ST
...
15. Juan Jose Oroz ST
21. Jorge Azanza +0:05
35. Mikel Nieve +0:15
39. Javier Aramendia +0:16
62. Samuel Sanchez +1:14
67. Andoni Lafuente +1:43
76. Iñigo Landaluze +3:34

Results stage 5
1. Davide Rebellin Serramenti 4:35:45
2. Juan Jose Oroz +0:09
3. Gilberto Simoni +0:09
...
5. Mikel Nieve +0:09
23. Samuel Sanchez +1:40
34. Jorge Azanza +5:03
53. Javier Aramendia +12:34
63. Andoni Lafuente +19:29

General Rank
1. Joost Posthuma Rabobank 17:28:40
2. Xavier Tondo Andalucia +0:02
3. Davide Rebellin Serramenti +0:03
...
6. Juan Jose Oroz +0:21
20. Mikel Nieve +2:50
21. Samuel Sanchez +3:05
29. Jorge Azanza +5:32
47. Javier Aramendia +13:13
63. Andoni Lafuente +22:08

Euskaltel off to ok start in Andalucia

Yesterday the vuelta a Andalucia, also known as the Ruta del Sol, took off with 7 kilometres of prologue and Euskaltel did an ok job. Samuel Sanchez just missed the top 20 spot with a 21th spot, a first good result of 2009. Also Juan Jose Oroz shone, he became 22th.

Results
1. Xavier Tondo Andalucia Cajasur 8:31
2. Joost Posthuma Rabobank +0:01
3. Martin Velits Milram +0:03
...
21. Samuel Sanchez +0:18
22. Juan Jose Oroz +0:19
50. Javier Aramendia +0:30
56. Jorge Azanza +0:31
81. Mikel Nieve +0:50
85. Andoni Lafuente +1:03
91. Iñigo Landaluze +1:51

Oroz in the attack in Trofeo Calvia

Juan Jose Oroz coloured the last task in the Challenge Iles Balears. At kilometre 18 he went away together with Hayman, Sioutsou, Rosendo and Schmitz but once again team Katusha, apparently the new super sprinting team, reeled them back in with 5 kilometres to go. Gerald Ciolek won the stage, Aitor Hernandez took away a nice 17th spot. In the final classification, that doesn't really counts, Mikel Nieve came 7th and Iñigo Landaluze came 8th.

Results
1. Gerald Ciolek Milram 4:03:32
2. Edvald Boassen Hagen Team Columbia ST
3. Marcel Sieberg Team Columbia ST
...
17. Aitor Hernandez ST
27. Iñigo Landaluze ST
32. Mikel Nieve +0:06
41. Jorge Azanza +0:11
72. Javier Aramendia +1:29
81. Gorka Verdugo +1:44
84. Josu Agirre +2:25
86. Juan Jose Oroz +3:12

Great performance by Mikel Nieve in Trofeo Pollensa

The Trofeo Pollensa was definitely the hardest challenge of the Vuelta a Mallorca with 5 second class climbs. Jorge Azanza showed himself today by going in the attack when the breakaways of the day were caught again, but unfortunately it didn't last for long. On the last climb Antonio Colom went solo and the whole peloton shattered in pieces. Colom won and one minute behind him finished newbie Mikel Nieve on a great 7th place, a great performance!

Results
1. Antonio Colom Katusha 3:54:49
2. Edvald Boassen Hagen Team Columbia +0:56
3. Jerome Pineau Quick Step +0:56
...
7. Mikel Nieve +1:01
16. Iñigo Landaluze +2:00
32. Aitor Hernandez +5:01
51. Jorge Azanza +7:23
52. Javier Aramendia +7:23
53. Josu Agirre +7:23
55. Juan Jose Oroz +7:23
92. Gorka Verdugo +14:40
104. Sergio De Lis +17:43

Javier 12th in Trofeo Inca

It was once again a silent day us Euskaltel fans on the island of Mallorca. No orange rider really participated in the race story, but they were able to keep up with the pace. At the it all came down to a sprint, but due to a big crash only Daniele Bennati was able to ride a decent sprint so he won. Thanks to the crash Javier Aramendia was able to place himself nicely 12th, Juan José Oroz 15th and Iñigo Landaluze 16th.

Results
1. Daniele Bennati Liquigas 4:27:47
2. Tom Leezer Rabobank +0:01
3. Jerome Pineau Quick Step +0:01
...
12. Javier Aramendia +0:01
15. Juan Jose Oroz +0:01
16. Iñigo Landaluze +0:01
28. Jorge Azanza +0:01
32. Mikel Nieve +0:01
52. Gorka Verdugo +0:22
68. Aitor Hernandez +9:44
99. Koldo Fernandez +9:44
107. Josu Agirre +9:44
124. Sergio De Lis +11:07

Koldo again 5th on Mallorca

The second part of the Challenge de Mallorca, the Trofeo Cala Millor, became an exact copy of the first race. No Euskaltel rider got in the break but everyone worked together in the hopes of a victory for Koldo in the sprint. Once again Koldo wasn't able to take home the victory but placed himself again 5th, an ok performance but we want progress!

Results
1. Robbie McEwen Team Katusha 4:09:02
2. Graeme Brown Rabobank ST
3. Guillaume Blot Cofidis ST
...
5. Koldo Fernandez ST
35. Javier Aramendia ST
41. Jorge Azanza ST
52. Mikel Nieve ST
62. Iñigo Landaluze ST
76. Sergio De Lis +0:14
78. Mikel Astarloza +0:14
110. Samuel Sanchez +0:18
126. Pablo Urtasun +0:18
140. Aitor Galdos +0:56

Koldo 5th in Mallorca

In the first part of the Challenge de Mallorca, the Trofeo Mallorca, Koldo placed himself on a good 5th place. No one from Euskaltel got in the break of the day, but everything came back together thanks to the new Katusha team. In the sprint Gert Steegmans was the quickest before Robbie McEwen. This 5th place of Koldo shows that he's already in a good shape and that he might have shot of winning one of the next four races.

Results
1. Gert Steegmans Katusha 2:35:42
2. Robbie McEwen Katusha ST
3. Jose Joaquin Rojas Caisse d'Epargne ST
...
5. Koldo Fernandez ST
46. Jorge Azanza ST
51. Mikel Nieve ST
62. Sergio De Lis ST
83. Iñigo Landaluze ST
89. Samuel Sanchez ST
104. Pablo Urtasun +0:15
106. Javier Aramendia +0:15
177. Mikel Astarloza +0:46
178. Aitor Galdos +1:03

14 riders for Mallorca

Euskaltel will have a nice choice of riders for the upcoming Challenge de Mallorca. These are five races the Trofeo Mallorca, the Trofeo Cala-Millor, the Trofeo Pollenca, Trofeo Inca and the Trofeo Calvia where the teams can change their line-up in every race. Euskaltel will send a delegation of 14 men with Samuel Sánchez, Koldo Fernández, Mikel Astarloza, Iñigo Landaluze, Gorka Verdugo, Juanjo Oroz, Josu Agirre, Javier Aramendia, Jorge Azanza, Aitor Galdos, Aitor Hernández and the three newbies Sergio De Lis, Pablo Urtasun and Mikel Nieve.

The twelve values of Euskaltel

Today the presentation of the team 2009 was held in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Unfortunately I couldn't be there and I don't have cool pics of it yet, but Miguel Madariage anounced the twelve most important values of the team. I thought it was interesting cause most of them can be taken both personally and professionally.

1. Personality
2. Delivery (Results)
3. Discipline
4. Sacrifice
5. Professionalism
6. Proximity
7. Commitment
8. Team work
9. Complicity
10. Organisation
11. Friendship
12. Optimism
    

Our olympic champion Samuel Sanchez gave an interview to the Estrella digital and of course I tried to translate for you in English.

Has that Olympic medal changed your life?
I can now do things that I have never done before and my life has changed a lot, but my personality hasn't changed a bit.
You tattooed the Olympic rings on your body, what would you tattoo if you win the Tour de France?
The Olympic tattoo was just a bet with my friend Juan Llaneras. I think I won't tattoo anything, but I believe that you always have to live up to your promises.
What are your goals for this season?
I want to be good in the first part of the season and then I can start to train for the Vuelta and the World Championships.
This winter you have been able to train in a wind tunnel in San Diego. Do you think Spain should invest more in these kinds of technology so more riders could use it to shine?
It would seriously be a good thing because it was a great opportunity for me!
Would you think about changing your career, like Valentino Rossi?
Since I was a child, I've always loved motorcycles, but I want to finish my life as a cyclist. I would love to ride on circuits with a motorcycle or a car but only as a hobby.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Spending time with my family and friends
Who are cyclists you can resemble with?
Laurent Jalabart and Alejandro Valverde.
Wich race do you like most?
Tour de France
Your best compagnon in the peloton?
Benjamin Noval
The best room mate in big tours?
Igor Anton
What's your great wish?
To win the World Championships or one of the three big rounds.
What's your biggest dream?

To be happy and healthy

Markel Irizar King of the Australian mountains

The last stage of the Tour Down Under was a 90 kilometres criterium on a small circuit in Adelaide. Of course this wasn't the parcours to expect big escapes, but Markel Irizar managed to stay in front for a while, taking some more points for the King of the Mountains jersey. Yesterday Andoni Lafuente was still the leader in this classification but at the end it was Markel who could show off the jersey. In the final sprint Iñaki took another top20 spot with an ok 17th place.

Results
1. Francesco Chicchi Liquigas 1:42:00
2. Robbie McEwen Katusha ST
3. Graeme Brown Rabobank ST
...
17. Iñaki Isasi ST
46. Sergio De Lis ST
50. Markel Irizar ST
96. Pablo Urtasun +0:24
98. Josu Agirre +0:24
111. Andoni Lafuente +0:38
122. Aitor Hernandez +6:28

General Rank
1. Allan Davis Quick Step 19:26:59
2. Stuart O'Grady Team Saxo Bank +0:25
3. José Joaquin Rojas Caisse d'Epargne +0:30
...
18. Markel Irizar +0:46
59. Iñaki Isasi +24:27
85. Josu Agirre +36:59
109. Aitor Hernandez +50:59
118. Sergio De Lis +1:02:22
119. Pablo Urtasun +1:02:46
120. Andoni Lafuente +1:02:50