Ion Izagirre

[Moviestar]

Surprised to see he didn't have a topic already

He is having a great season so far. Ion has made another step in his development and he is now almost an assurance for a top-5 in stageraces. A pity he had to miss his homerace Tour du Pays Basque.
He also seems to climb better in the mountains.

[Libertine Seguros]

Despite the likes of Samu and Antón being around, I said back at the time that in the long-term Ion may end up being the star lot at the Euskaltel auction when the team disbanded. It's not quite right, since of course there was Landa too, but Ion is emerging into a very solid all-rounder and week-racer, possibly a stagehunter elsewhere, a bit like Luísle was for Abarcá in the Caisse d'Epargne days.

[Dazed and Confused]

Great rider, that Mr Ion.

[Bushman]

He could really have a breakthrough this year. He is climbing better than ever and he does have the tools to win races.

He will probably need to help Quintana and Valverde a lot but I hope he can get a chance to shine in some bigger races

[Cance > TheRest]

One of my favourite riders in the week-long stage races. Sort of reminds me of Zubeldia in his skillset, yet a little bit less ninja.

[Forever The Best]

A great rider and a very nice result.

[Valv.Piti]

Despite the likes of Samu and Antón being around, I said back at the time that in the long-term Ion may end up being the star lot at the Euskaltel auction when the team disbanded. It's not quite right, since of course there was Landa too, but Ion is emerging into a very solid all-rounder and week-racer, possibly a stagehunter elsewhere, a bit like Luísle was for Abarcá in the Caisse d'Epargne days.

Izagirre has many of the same characteristics, but I think Luis was the more talented rider, at least when it came down to stage hunting. He was simply phenomenal at that, still is to some extent, while Ion has trouble finishing races off. You rarely see him win anything, but this year he actually already have 2 wins. Thats why I was so glad when he won that prologue, he needs to get that instinct of a winner.

On the other hand, I think Izagirre, if given the right support, has the potential to be a lot better of a GC-rider. He already pretty much is at this point already in 1 weekers, but Im thinking further ahead to the GT's also. Im pretty sure he will get somewhat of a free role in the Vuelta if he isn't selected in the Tour which I dont think he will. He has only had one chance to show himself and that failed pretty miserable, but this is the Vuelta, home of 1 stage, 1 climb.

Who knows. Maybe he should just focus on one week races, Spilak-esque, but I would like to see him try himself out in the Vuelta and Giro. Who knows. Great rider!

[Valv.Piti]

Anyone knows how badly he was hurt in Romandie and what his schedule may look like? Im thinking something similar to Suisse, Burgos and Vuelta.

[Moviestar]

Anyone knows how badly he was hurt in Romandie and what his schedule may look like? Im thinking something similar to Suisse, Burgos and Vuelta.

I also think his schedule will be similar to that, with Pologne added to it .

[CheckMyPecs]

I'm sure he'd love to be in the Tour.

[Valv.Piti]

Anyone knows how badly he was hurt in Romandie and what his schedule may look like? Im thinking something similar to Suisse, Burgos and Vuelta.

I also think his schedule will be similar to that, with Pologne added to it .

Oh ****, I forgot about his favourite race. That instead of Burgos, then.

CheckMyPecs - Maybe. i think he knows he won't have any GC-ambitions with Quintana, on the contrary, he will have his opportunities in the Vuelta.

[ice&fire]

He's won the Movistar ITT Championship ahead of Castroviejo, Valverde and Herrada. Lulu has been the first non-movistar rider in 5th position.

http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2016/06/23/576c2d03ca4741a93d8b4645.html

[aarononymous]

He's won the Movistar ITT Championship ahead of Castroviejo, Valverde and Herrada. Lulu has been the first non-movistar rider in 5th position.

nice gesture by the country of Spain to offer their facilities for this event

[CheckMyPecs]

Didn't someone say Lulu wasn't taking part in the ITT?

[Mr.White]

It would be some sort of a sin not to bring this guy to the Tour and Rio

[ice&fire]

He's won the Movistar ITT Championship ahead of Castroviejo, Valverde and Herrada. Lulu has been the first non-movistar rider in 5th position.

nice gesture by the country of Spain to offer their facilities for this event

Special thanks should be given to former Movistar rider Rubén Plaza for hosting the race in his birth town. He finished 6th.

[gunara]

Brother Gorka has a nice season, too.
Anyway at his younger days, I always felt Ion could be anything he chose to be, maybe a bit like Geraint Thomas now, and I knew he would take some time finding his real forte. I even thought he could've done well in cobble had he chose to, but of course he didn't.

[CheckMyPecs]

It's not too late to try, time trialists can make the transition to the cobbles relatively easily.

[ice&fire]

If he decides to do cobbles he'll have to work for Erviti

[gunara]

If he decides to do cobbles he'll have to work for Erviti

Two Basque names in the leading group near the end of Paris - Roubaix will be quite surreal