For another year Samuel Sánchez will be leader of Euskaltel-Euskadi. The 32-year old 'Asturiano' has two clear objectives, the Tour of the Basque Country and the Tour de France, where he wants to win a stage and ameliorate his 7th place of 2008. Samuel Sánchez answered these questions in the Euskaltel training camp in Derio from Biciciclismo.
How is the preseason and winter going?The most important thing is that everything is going well, without any injuries like last year when I had one at my left knee. My health is good and that's the most important for a sporter.
How are you looking towards the new year?It will be a special year cause the sponsor will quit after this one so everyone will to their best to get a new one next year. It's important to know whether the team will continue or quit after this year so we have to look out for something new.
Do you expect extra pressure?No, personally I'm calm and focussed on my preparation. It's an extra motivation. There's no need to get nervous about the team continuing or not. I'm focussing more on training and getting the best out of the races.
Do you have the intention to stay with Euskaltel-Euskadi?My intention is certain. I don't know how the direction thinks about it, but I feel part of the team, part of the schedule of Miguel Madariaga. I would love to continue here.
You've also said that you wanted to end your carreer in this team.Yes, I've said that and I stick with it: I would love to end my carreer with Euskaltel-Euskadi. Although I don't want to close other doors because the carreer of a cyclist is short and you'll have to get the maximum out of it.
What are objectives for this year?The first objective is being 100% in the Tour of the Basque Country, but I already want to show myself in Paris-Nice and the Criterium International and that way getting a good condition for the Basque Country.
And what do you think about the Tour de France?We have to keep our feet on the ground and I'm a bit reluctant to it myself, but the main objective is to do better than in 2008. The ideal is finishing on the podium, but I have to be realistic cause you have Contador and other strong contenders.
How do you look back on the Tour 2008?Good and satisfied. I lost time on the Hautacam and the Tourmalet, just like Valverde, and that whitholded me from obtaining a better spot in the general rank.
The Vuelta has been dismissed?Nothing is certain, we'll have to see that during the season. The Vuelta has an attractive parcours with stages in the Asturias where I live. And the Vuelta is my race, where I finished two time on the podium and won several stages. Just like the Tour of the Basque Country, I want to win it.
The last Vuelta, you lost time in the stage with Xorret de Cati.That was due to a fall in the stage before, I felt really bad but that's cycling! Valverde was the deserved winner cause he made the least mistakes.
You feel good with Euskaltel-Euskadi?It's like Athletico Bilbao in soccer, they only choose players from their own region. Other teams have a lot of cyclists to pick from but we're limited. In the Tour de France you need cyclists with experience and the parcours is looking good, there is no team time trial which is good for us. Especially the last week we'll be beautiful with the Pyrenees and the last time trial.
How is the Asturian cycling going?There is not a lot of new talent, maybe Higionio Fernández with Caja Rural. We have Checu, Noval, Barredo, Navarro, Santí Perez, Sobrino, Santamarta, Antuña and me, but there's nothing after us. We hope that Alonso will take care of this with his new team.
What is certain about Alonso's team?It's not an invention. He's really planning on starting a team, but what he's real intention are, I don't know yet. But it would be good for Spain to have another team with a good schedule.
Would you like to participate in the World Championships in Melbourne?It's still far away and a lot of things can happen this season. It's not the ideal parcours for guys like me and Valverde, it's probably a better chance for Freire and I will be happy to help him with that.
Euskaltel has released Romain Sicard's schedule for the first part of the season. It's clear that they want to show off with their new promising rider cause they are letting him ride some big races!
For another year Samuel Sánchez will be leader of Euskaltel-Euskadi. The 32-year old 'Asturiano' has two clear objectives, the Tour of the Basque Country and the Tour de France, where he wants to win a stage and ameliorate his 7th place of 2008. Samuel Sánchez answered these questions in the Euskaltel training camp in Derio from Biciciclismo.
Only 22 days to go and the real cycling fans can finally come out of their winter sleep and enjoy professional cycling again. Just like recent years, the 2010 season will take of in the hot and beautiful country of Australia. And Euskaltel immediately has a new year's present for its fans, we will get to see all the newbies in action! The one to watch will of course be Romain Sicard, who will ride his first ProTour race as a World Champion. He will be joined by Jonathan Castroviejo, Jon Izaguirre, Miguel Minguez and Daniel Sesma, who will also defend the orange colours for the first time. Young and promising Mikel Nieve will also be present and the most experienced will be Ivan Velasco with his 4th year riding with Euskaltel. I can't wait for the season to start at 19 january!
Like Haimar Zubeldia, another ex-rider from Euskaltel found a new team for 2010. Iban Mayoz rode two years for Xacobeo-Galicia but will represent the colours of the 'haunted' team Footon-Servetto next year.
Just like with Alberto Contador, there were some troubles with the transfer to another team for ex-Euskaltel rider Haimar Zubeldia, but as was said during the Tour de France already, Haimar will follow Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and others to the new ProTour team lead by Johan Bruyneel. Haimar said to Biciciclismo that being in a team with Johan Bruyneel was the ultimate reason for him since he had always admired Bruyneel's skills of directing a team.
It was anounced today that Beñat Intxausti will ride for Euskaltel-Euskadi in 2010. Apparently there is an agreement between the basque rider and his former team boss Mauro Gianetti. Beñat already mentioned that he's happy to finally ride for his own 'tierra', but what will happen with Jorge Azanza. He was the one who got in the team because Beñat didn't, but what will happen with him now? We will find out soon probably...
Euskaltel asked the same three questions to Alan Pérez, here is what he answered.
It was a close call for Jorge Azanza, but due to the fact that Beñat Intxausti unfortunately won't come to Euskaltel next year because of troubles with his team Fuji, he got a place in the team for 2010. Euskaltel gave him three questions and this is what he answered:
The season is almost over, the leaves are falling from the trees, the sprinters already put an end to their season and that's when you get one of the most beautiful races of the season, the Tour of Lombardy. And just like the last two years, Samuel Sanchez made clear that this was a race for him. He stayed with the favourites until the top favourite Philippe Gilbert got away on the last climb. That was the sign for Samuel to go too and he rode without too much difficulty to the belgian. The two of them rode to the finish but at the end it was unfortunately Philippe Gilbert who had the fastest sprint and won, but at least we saw that Sammy was still in great condition and could have won this race, maybe next year!
Up till now Euskaltel has 23 riders contracted for 2010. Here's an overview:
Samuel Sanchez will lead the orange Euskaltel squad in the upcoming french race Paris-Tours. He will be assisted by Aitor Galdos, Iñaki Isasi, Ivan Velasco, Markel Irizar, Aitor Hernandez, Jorge Azanza and Javier Aramendia. Last year Samuel Sanchez was the best of the Euskaltel guys on a 28th place.
Biciciclismo had a little interview with Rubén Pérez and here is what he said:
According to the Diario Vasco and Biciciclismo Markel Irizar will ride for the new Lance Armstrong team, Radio Shack, next year. Of course we all know that Lance Armstrong and Markel Irizar since they both survived testicle cancer (if I'm not mistaken) and that during Markel's recovery Lance sent a message to support him. Of course he will also meet Haimar Zubeldia again because he's following Lance too! In my opinion this could help Markel to improve his time trialling skills even more!
