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Ion Izagirre

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M

Moviestar

May 31, 2015
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Surprised to see he didn't have a topic already :confused:

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

Libertine Seguros

Feb 20, 2010
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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.
 
B

Bushman

Jun 3, 2012
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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
 
Valv.Piti

Valv.Piti

Aug 3, 2015
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Re:

Libertine Seguros said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

Valv.Piti

Aug 3, 2015
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Moviestar said:
Valv.Piti said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

Oh ***, I forgot about his favourite race. :D 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.
 
I

ice&fire

Jul 1, 2015
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aarononymous said:
ice&fire said:
He's won the Movistar ITT Championship ahead of Castroviejo, Valverde and Herrada. Lulu has been the first non-movistar rider in 5th position.
Click to expand...

:D nice gesture by the country of Spain to offer their facilities for this event
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Special thanks should be given to former Movistar rider Rubén Plaza for hosting the race in his birth town. He finished 6th.
 
gunara

gunara

Dec 6, 2012
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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.
 
Valv.Piti

Valv.Piti

Aug 3, 2015
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Good on him, thats Rio locked up. 3 stage wins - one in a classic, a prologue and an ITT - plus the ITT in Spain. He has won more than he has done in 5-6 years as a pro this year probably.

If I was Minguez, Valverde and Izagirre would be 100%. Then Id pick 1 of Gorka/Castro/Luis Le for 100% domestique duties and 2 of Contador/Landa/Rodriguez.
 
gunara

gunara

Dec 6, 2012
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Re:

Valv.Piti said:
Good on him, thats Rio locked up. 3 stage wins - one in a classic, a prologue and an ITT - plus the ITT in Spain. He has won more than he has done in 5-6 years as a pro this year probably.

If I was Minguez, Valverde and Izagirre would be 100%. Then Id pick 1 of Gorka/Castro/Luis Le for 100% domestique duties and 2 of Contador/Landa/Rodriguez.
Click to expand...

I'd scrap the last three and give it to any two of the first three or one plus a Dani Moreno
 
Valv.Piti

Valv.Piti

Aug 3, 2015
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Re: Re:

gunara said:
Valv.Piti said:
Good on him, thats Rio locked up. 3 stage wins - one in a classic, a prologue and an ITT - plus the ITT in Spain. He has won more than he has done in 5-6 years as a pro this year probably.

If I was Minguez, Valverde and Izagirre would be 100%. Then Id pick 1 of Gorka/Castro/Luis Le for 100% domestique duties and 2 of Contador/Landa/Rodriguez.
Click to expand...

I'd scrap the last three and give it to any two of the first three or one plus a Dani Moreno
Click to expand...
Interesting thought process. If I would wanna win with Valverde, who is the favourite and the most likely Spanish rider to win, I wouldn't pick Rodriguez and probably not Contador either. But if Landa is Landa 2015 Giro, I'd pick him along with Castro + Gorka/Moreno. That would leave Ion and Castro for the ITT and a squad very much centred around Valverde, but I very much doubt that is what will happen.
 
StryderHells

StryderHells

Oct 10, 2015
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Re: Re:

Valv.Piti said:
gunara said:
Valv.Piti said:
Good on him, thats Rio locked up. 3 stage wins - one in a classic, a prologue and an ITT - plus the ITT in Spain. He has won more than he has done in 5-6 years as a pro this year probably.

If I was Minguez, Valverde and Izagirre would be 100%. Then Id pick 1 of Gorka/Castro/Luis Le for 100% domestique duties and 2 of Contador/Landa/Rodriguez.
Click to expand...

I'd scrap the last three and give it to any two of the first three or one plus a Dani Moreno
Click to expand...
Interesting thought process. If I would wanna win with Valverde, who is the favourite and the most likely Spanish rider to win, I wouldn't pick Rodriguez and probably not Contador either. But if Landa is Landa 2015 Giro, I'd pick him along with Castro + Gorka/Moreno. That would leave Ion and Castro for the ITT and a squad very much centred around Valverde, but I very much doubt that is what will happen.
Click to expand...

Has Landa shown any aptitude as a one day rider? Surely Rodriguez or Moreno would be a safer bet as back up to Valverde
 
DFA123

DFA123

Nov 7, 2010
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Re: Re:

StryderHells said:
Valv.Piti said:
gunara said:
Valv.Piti said:
Good on him, thats Rio locked up. 3 stage wins - one in a classic, a prologue and an ITT - plus the ITT in Spain. He has won more than he has done in 5-6 years as a pro this year probably.

If I was Minguez, Valverde and Izagirre would be 100%. Then Id pick 1 of Gorka/Castro/Luis Le for 100% domestique duties and 2 of Contador/Landa/Rodriguez.
Click to expand...

I'd scrap the last three and give it to any two of the first three or one plus a Dani Moreno
Click to expand...
Interesting thought process. If I would wanna win with Valverde, who is the favourite and the most likely Spanish rider to win, I wouldn't pick Rodriguez and probably not Contador either. But if Landa is Landa 2015 Giro, I'd pick him along with Castro + Gorka/Moreno. That would leave Ion and Castro for the ITT and a squad very much centred around Valverde, but I very much doubt that is what will happen.
Click to expand...

Has Landa shown any aptitude as a one day rider? Surely Rodriguez or Moreno would be a safer bet as back up to Valverde
Click to expand...

Don't discount Samu Sanchez either. He was very impressive in the Ardennes this year and is hugely popular with other Spanish riders and within the federation, and also would be happy to work as a loyal domestique. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see him make the cut.
 
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