The Donostia-Donostia Klasioka - Clásica San Sebastian, August 2013
Next to Vuelta Ciclista a País Vasco, Clásica San Sebastian is the most important and prestigious basque race to win for the team all season. Its basque name is Donostia-Donostia Klasioka and it was founded 1981. Since then it has become with ease the biggest one-day race of Spain. With 6 climbs, the parcous favours climbers and puncheurs. The Klasioka can be seen as a vivid mirror of the basque mentality as well as a the basque way of cycling. Beautiful views upon the landscape and coastline are a feast for the eye, while the harsh wind conditions and the bumpy, hilly terrain care of a show of exciting racing. Last basque rider to win this race was legendary Miguel Indurain. Regardless to say that Euskaltel –Euskadi hasn’t won this race on their home turf yet.
Many notable names are on today’s race sheet. Philippe Gilbert and Alejandro Valverde are two of three big Ardennes classic winners, although L-B-L winner Simon Gerrans is missing. Current World Tour Number 1 Peter Sagan is featured too alongside the three Tour contenders Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and Joaquim Rodríguez. Giro winner Vincenzo Nibali picks up his cycling gear too after his Giro d’Italia win and last year’s San Sebastian winner L.L. Sánchez is of course featured too, together with Bauke Mollema. Daniel Martin, Sergio Henao, Carlos Betancur, Benat Intxausti and Thibaut Pinot may be considered favourites too.
Euskaltel – Euskadi might just possible send their best one-day squad of the entire season into this race: Samuel Sánchez continues his racing after the Giro d’Italia and looks to come into late form for the Vuelta, together with Igor Antón. Gorka and Ion Izagirre, the two brothers, continue you their shared adventures through the Fall campaign of Euskaltel – Euskadi as they tackle the second race after Eneco Tour together in just a few days. Jorge Azanza still profits from his Tourform, while Radochla is keen to impress possible future teams. Mikel Landa and Gorka Verdugo want to build up their form to already justify their Vuelta inclusion – and may hope for spark that could allow them more freedom for their Grand Tour at home.
The traditional route goes from San Sebastian to San Sebastian and several hills are featured. With 231 kilometers this year’s edition is a bit longer than the traditional one. The probably most important part will be the last 20 kilometers, when the peloton climbs the Jaizkibel (translated: Back of the rock).
Until Azpeitia, no real break can establish itself. We see at the end of the break Igor Antón who isn’t really willing anymore to pace for the group as the peloton, leaded by Movistar, sees further attacks; attacks that just bring the peloton even closer to the break. Such a shame because the break had really potential with riders like Brajkovic and T.J. Van Garderen as companions.
But Igor didn’t give up and a second try is much more successful at the Azkarate. They quickly gain time, probably because the peloton doesn’t consider this breakaway to be so danergous. Riders who are on the wheel of Antón include Boswell (SKY), Agnoli (AST), Veilleux (EUC), De Greef (LTB), Jeannesson (FDJ), Férnandez (CJR), Leezer (BEL) and Bole (VCD).
As the riders climb the Alto Jaizkibel for the first time in this year’s edition, the moody basque weather strikes and it starts to rain. Igor Antón is used to that by now but maybe some other riders ain’t so happy with it. 5 minutes lead, they are doing okay, I’d say.
And despite the weather and the very strong wind at top of Alto Jaizkibel, Antón still wants to increase the lead. Surely, he doesn’t want to show any kind of weakness in front of the basque fans, but alas, maybe he should take it a bit more easy.
Thankfully, the rain stops when they reach Irun. The town looks much more friendy at the sea looks much better with sun on the towns and the riders skin. Hopefully the next time Igor Antón rides through this town, things will be just the same. 4’30’’ lead.
Woah, usually only Euskaltel – Euskadi make such race tactics, and even then, they never work out. Lampre – Merida attacked ahead of the second time climbing Alto de Arkale with 3 riders! Ulissi, Favili and Anacona are trying to catch up to the front of the race (seen in the background). Albasini was the only rider quick enough to react to Lampre’s raid.
While Lampre is soon to catch up to the break, Antón takes a second to rest in the downhill and orders some bottles. Getting 3 Lampre riders into the breakaway, is that a good thing? It may increase the chances of the breakaway’s survival, but what are Antón’s odds in a possible bunch sprint against Ulissi?
Going into the Alto Jaizkibel for the second time, the Lampre trio (and Albasini) catch the break for good now. Katu is still not sure about this, but then again – maybe now Igor Antón will get some decent help. Our basque rider did most of the work so far, but then again – he was clearly the strongest rider in the break and responsibility fell into our hands.
Obviously Lampre are setting a very high pace right from the get-go here. Even Igor has some struggle, but his form isn’t the best so far. With still 50 kilometers up ahead however, the break chances drastically increase now.
The form from our other orange boys back in the peloton seems to be top-notch though as they easily ride alongside the BMC train and are not willing to do anything more than just climbing. Obviously, they know this mountain better than anyone else in the entire Pro Cycling circuit.
Lots of fog and clouds over Irun and the sea can be seen from here. Igor Antón is enjoying some quality time at the back of the break
away.
Thomas Voeckler (EUC) attacks with 40 kilometers to go in the descent of Alto Jaizkibel. Rodríguez and Daniel Martin try their luck too, as they come with full speed out of this curve.
Although Daniel Martin and Rodríguez work together quite perfect, they can’t get a serious gap on the peloton so far. Then again, Vincenzo Nibali, Froome, Chavanel and Peraud are the ones chasing them.
Big attacks in the peloton. Valverde attacked a bit earlier and got serious time on the peloton (having about a minute in just a few kilometers), and now Gilbert and Sagan attack too.
Going into Alto Arkale for the third time, Gorka Izagirre and Ion Izagirre brought their peloton back to the group of favourites. They tried their exodus but it didn’t work. Meanwhile, Valverde is already with Group Antón & Ulissi.
And then, it all was for nothing. As usual. The peloton collides with the big breakaway at the Alto Arkale. The race goes the opposite way. While the Arkale should bring a split to the race, it brought them all back together.
Vuelta a Burgos winner Sergio Henao might have striked the winning punch at the top of Alto Arkale as Igor Antón tried to keep the pace high but failed. Iglinskiy and Valverde in the back try to catch up to him.
While Valverde and Iglinskiy are about to get caught, Henao still has a considerable lead. Only 20 kilometers left.
The peloton crashes into San Sebastian and some of the riders try their last effort. Purito is attacking, while Henao has still about 40 seconds left.
The high pace, the constant chances in position, the frequent up-and-downs… San Sebastian offers one of the most intense finishes in the world when a peloton wants to fight it out.
Henao clearly looks for the win today but as we can see the hungry pack behind their, hardly anyone wants to give it to him.
Froome might be ignoring team orders as he sets out to attack. Ion Izagirre lead a charge after Peter Sagan, and Gilbert and Daniel Moreno form a small group ahead of the peloton.
Have no delousions. The gaps may appear wide, but as Sagan catches up to Henao, so do eventually Froome, Izagirre and Moreno, and then the rest of the peloton. Everything is packed in here and no one managed to break free.
The kilometers just crumble under the pace. As Chris Froome pulls out of working and Henao drops back, Sagan is quick to take charge of the pack, with Moreno and Izagirre on his wheel. The Slovakian superstar looks very confident to take the stage win, thus may be looking to open up the sprint as the first rider – and finishing it as the first. It’s the heat of the pack. So far still to go, but Sagan shows no mercy and opens it up as promised by his style of riding.
What the hell? Contador outsprints Sagan, and… Ion Izagirre is caught in the peloton. How the hell did he manage that?
Just for the hell of it, make room for Ion Izagirre, please! He clearly has the strength to finish first, just make room for once!
And then, yes – he finally breaks free. Just 300 meters left. Feeling the wind in all its harshness. Tired spirits behind him. Hopeful mouth wide open. Sagan on the right, Ballan passing Contador up there. 300 meters.
… passing Contador… passing…
Gora Ion, Gora Euskadi!
We can’t believe it as he raises his arm into the air and triumphs in San Sebastian by more than a bike length in the end. Thanks for holding him in, peloton, thanks for stopping him, thanks for letting him through in the end. It all worked perfectly. Katu falls into my arms as he shrugs his head and can’t believe it. Finally, jeez, finally – this has been coming for such a long time. Euskaltel – Euskadi take their home race Donostia-Donostia Klasikoa finally, they have won Clásica San Sebastian for the first time. Ion Izagirre has just written history for us, all new, all bright, everything wonderful…
Ion Izagirre is handed the award and the flowers by the basque beauties. He later opens up a bottle of champagne, the traditional basque hat shields him from the wind coming from the side. He bows and the people pull off their hat to him and as a reward he sprays the entire basque crowd with the champagne. People are excited, oblivious to anything around them, totally cheering, cheering Gora Ion and Gora Euskadi and Gora… stuff. I take a smoke behind the crowd and get some good pictures of fanatic families enjoying the moment, life-long cyclist may have seen a dream come true, Katu shakes his head in disbelief. “A lifetime passed in front of my eye”, he later told me. I lost a few years of mine too maybe. Ion is shaking too on the podium, slightly. You can’t really spot it when you don’t know him. I like to think I do, his left hand shows his bliss as it tickles up and down. He is holding the other hand ahead of his mouth, breathing into it, and then he raises the arms once more, once again and just smiles…
The whole team waits for him at the back of the podium. I hurry through the crowd to see them too, but when I arrive most of the congratulations have already been given. It’s my turn to congratulate him and I do it with all my heart. He throws his hand around me, and says that I should be basque. Then Gorka comes from behind and takes his brothers on the shoulder. Like in that awkward family picture they once took. You remember? Quick everybody else joins in, from Samu to Jorge, from Igor to Radochla. They all keep him high in the air. He isn’t heavy. It’s no problem.
I turn to a basque journalist who is taking a photograph of it, and ask if I could get a copy of it. He tells me yeah, and then I ask, “what will be your headline for tomorrow?”. He answers me: “Are you serious? I can’t think of that now. I’m just happy.” I ask him again, and he answers. “Probably Gora Euskadi, or I don't know?”
Final Results, Donostia-Donostia Klasikoa
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
6h16'14
2
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
3
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
s.t.
4
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
5
Luis León Sánchez
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Simon Geschke
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
7
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
8
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
9
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
10
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Carlos Betancur
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
12
Julian Kern
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
13
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
s.t.
14
Marcos García
Caja Rural
s.t.
15
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
16
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
17
Amets Txurruka
Caja Rural
s.t.
18
Daniel Martin
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
19
Richie Porte
Sky Procycling
s.t.
20
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
21
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
22
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
23
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
s.t.
24
Peter Sagan
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
25
David López
Sky Procycling
s.t.
26
Roman Kreuziger
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
27
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
28
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
s.t.
29
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
30
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
31
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
32
Jakob Fuglsang
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
33
Dominik Nerz
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
34
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
35
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
s.t.
36
Mikel Landa
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
37
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'37
38
Cameron Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
39
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
40
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
41
Sergey Chernetskiy
Katusha Team
s.t.
42
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
43
Antonio Piedra
Caja Rural
s.t.
44
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
45
Jean-Christophe Peraud
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
46
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
47
Jérôme Pineau
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
48
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
49
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
50
Sylwester Szmyd
Movistar Team
s.t.
51
Robert Kiserlovski
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
52
Maxime Bouet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
53
Winner Anacona
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
54
Valerio Agnoli
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
55
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
56
Alberto Losada
Katusha Team
s.t.
57
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
s.t.
58
Thibaut Pinot
FDJ
s.t.
59
David Arroyo
Caja Rural
+ 3'14
60
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
61
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
62
Ian Boswell
Sky Procycling
s.t.
63
Jesús Hernández
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
64
Peter Stetina
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
65
Andreas Klöden
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
66
Bradley Wiggins
Sky Procycling
s.t.
67
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
68
Tanel Kangert
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
69
Ivan Santaromita
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
70
Simon Spilak
Katusha Team
s.t.
71
Fränk Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
72
Rafal Majka
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
73
Evgeni Petrov
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
74
Matthew Busche
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
75
Bruno Pires
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
76
Sérgio Paulinho
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
77
Patrick Gretsch
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
78
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
79
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
80
Maciej Paterski
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
81
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
82
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
83
Fredrik Kessiakoff
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
84
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
85
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
86
Dennis Van Winden
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
87
Tom Leezer
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
88
Kristof Vandewalle
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
89
Rubén Fernández
Caja Rural
s.t.
90
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'39
91
Wout Poels
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
92
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
93
Francis Mourey
FDJ
s.t.
94
Danail Petrov
Caja Rural
s.t.
95
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
96
José Herrada
Movistar Team
s.t.
97
Laurent Didier
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
98
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
99
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
s.t.
100
Dimitry Kozontchuk
Katusha Team
s.t.
101
Juan Manuel Gárate
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
102
Brian Vandborg
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
103
Pieter Weening
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
104
Yukiya Arashiro
Team Europcar
+ 5'51
105
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
106
Anthony Roux
FDJ
s.t.
107
Jussi Veikkanen
FDJ
s.t.
108
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
s.t.
109
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
110
Jens Debusschere
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
111
Fabricio Ferrari
Caja Rural
s.t.
112
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
113
Willem Wauters
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
114
Roy Curvers
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
115
Frederik Willems
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
116
Yaroslav Popovych
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
117
Rohan Dennis
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
118
Bram Tankink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
119
Mattia Cattaneo
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
120
Bert Grabsch
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
121
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
122
Rafael Valls
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
123
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
124
Thierry Hupond
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
125
Pieter Serry
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
126
David Veilleux
Team Europcar
s.t.
127
Francis De Greef
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
128
Arnold Jeannesson
FDJ
s.t.
129
Thomas Peterson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
130
Stefano Agostini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
131
Jorge Azanza
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
132
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
133
Christian Meier
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 7'34
134
Mikaël Chérel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
135
Andrea Palini
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
136
Anthony Geslin
FDJ
s.t.
137
Mauro Da Dalto
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
138
Anthony Charteau
Team Europcar
s.t.
139
Josué Moyano
Caja Rural
s.t.
140
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
141
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
142
Vicente Reynès
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
143
Benjamín Noval
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
144
Simone Stortoni
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
145
Chris Horner
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
146
Andreas Klier
Garmin - Sharp
+ 9'32
147
Yohann Gène
Team Europcar
s.t.
148
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ
s.t.
149
Xabier Zandio
Sky Procycling
s.t.
150
Daniel Teklehaimanot
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 11'37
151
Joost Van Leijen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
152
Martin Velits
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
153
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
154
Paolo Longo Borghini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
155
Martijn Keizer
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
156
Tobias Ludvigsson
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
157
Carlos Verona
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
158
Albert Timmer
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
159
Nikias Arndt
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
160
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
161
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 14'30
162
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
163
Koldo Fernández
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
164
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 18'17
165
Arnaud Courteille
FDJ
s.t.
166
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 21'26
167
Stefan Radochla
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
168
Edward King
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 23'39
Ion Izagirre confirmed his stellar form two days later at the Coppa Agostini with a 6th place, while in the Coppa Bernocchi the team remained entirely anonymous.
Since Euskaltel – Euskadi have just achieved one of their biggest victories in history, we feel like the Vuelta a Espana comes just at the right time… Prepare for mountain-festivies and orange fever! But first, a little surprise…
To All Supporters!
After the success at the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France, a vague idea I have once mentioned in passing to Katu, got more and more popular in the basque cycling team. While the team is proud of its basque heritage, culture and mentality, it’s obvious that the team lacks financial support as well as a true community spirit. We have a vivid, loyal fan community that wish to support this basque dream – and more importantly, this community can be seen worldwide. It’s not just the basque country anymore, and supporting the basque country doesn’t mean you have to be basque. Believe me, I know that one for sure. Many of them want to see it return to its original roots. Many see Euskaltel – Euskadi as something special, either because they stand for something truly worthwhile or because of sportive reasons. Many of our fans don’t care about the borders or names, but about the thing that’s beneath it. The core of basque essence, and we are here to share this core with you.
We have worked the last couple of weeks on a system that can strengthen our squad, while also providing a better connection with our fans. The goal is that your favourite team and you will stand in a close connection. That you can support them more than just by waving the ikurrina in front of the television and screaming Gora Euskadi! late night in the pub. No, it will be more… Those victories, each one of them, will be yours.
Proudly,
Euskaltel – Euskadi announces a reenactment of the Socio Movement!
For anybody that may have forgotten: Socios are called the members of Euskadi, those who founded it and supported it in the early years. They bought their parts and it was to be considered their cycling team…
Now it’s possible for you to make it your cycling team!
This means that you have now the chance to become a member of the team. A fitting reward for you - someone that supports it throughout the year.
As a thank you for your loyalty, passion and support, each Socio will be granted the possibility to be the patron of his or her preferred rider. This rider will become your Protégé for as long as he rides for the team! As a thank you for your personal sponsorship of him, the privileged and favored rider will dedicate his first win (on World Tour level) in the coming seasons to his Patron: Yes, that’s you! And if he really likes you, he might just dedicate his biggest win too.
So how does this work exactly?
1. Sign up as a Socio, either in this thread or via PM.
2. State your preferred rider (Note: Only one rider can be sponsored by one socio)
3. Tell us what stat you want to increase.
You will have the possibility of boosting one stat by one point! This will also boost the rider’s potential in that specific attribute.
However there are rules to it:
-You should be a supporter of this team, meaning some interest in the progress of the story over time.
-You cannot boost the stat if the rider has a potential of 80 or higher in this attribute. I’ll let you know if this is the case.
-You can only boost one rider. You will be his patron until he either leaves Euskaltel – Euskadi or retires. So choose careful!
-Riders can be only supported by one sponsor each.
-When your rider leaves Euskaltel – Euskadi, you are free to choose a new protégé of course.
-All stats are available for boosting. You can also increase Age of Decline by full two years, granting guys like Sánchez and Verdugo a little trip to the fountain of youth!
You can apply now for the Socio Movement and its open end. All modifications will be made during the off-season. If you apply later (for example: During Race Season 2014), the modifications will be made in the following Off-Season.
We hope you like this little idea of ours and will support us further along the way.
We say thank you for all the support and comments to you guys. It's much appreciated.
So, how about it? Will you join the Euskaltel - Euskadi family for real? Don't worry, we don't have too many creepy uncles.
Gora Euskadi!
X & Katu
Edited by Shonak on 30-01-2014 12:55
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Great idea reintroducing the Socio-concept in some way
I would love to be the socio of Ion Izagirre!
Edit: Could you perhaps post how the differerent riders stats are at the moment (of course Ion is of special interest to me)?
Edited by Atlantius on 30-01-2014 10:35
Thanks a lot guys. I thought revealing the Socio Movement alongside the first time winning Clásica San Sebastian was the best option clearly. Don't forget to sign up as a Socio and to support your protégé.
@Atlantius: Welcome aboard the Euskaltel train!
Thanks a lot mate. I thought you will go for one of the two Izagirre bros. I'll upload a current list of the riders stats.
In case you can't wait: There's also a image of the stats in the opening post of the thread and it's actually still quite accurate.
@admirschleck: Thanks a lote mate for the compliments. I try my best. Obviously special moments in the story need to be celebrated.
@Blueprint: Absolutely. País Vasco and Clasica San Sebastian are two awesome wins for the team in this first season under my regime. Hope you'll want to join the Socio Movement.
@duxili: Welcome aboard the Socio Movement, duxili! So, that's Samu for you. Looking forward to what you plan but just so you know, Samu's Age of Decline already kicked in. Might give him an extra year just for the fun of it though.
@The Rider: Thanks mate! Well, Contador is surely not the best sprinter in the bunch, but beating guys like Sagan, Valverde or Gilbert in the finale sure is a nice way to win our home race. And trust me, you wouldn't want to hear our traditional basque music - at least when the team plays its instruments. Edited by Shonak on 30-01-2014 12:12
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Gora Euskadi! 
