2011 Euskaltel–Euskadi season

Cycling team season 2011 Euskaltel–Euskadi season Manager Igor González de Galdeano One-day victories 1 Stage race overall victories – Stage race stage victories 9 Previous season • Next season The 2011 season for EUS 2011 began in January at the Tour Down Under and ended in October at the Giro di Lombardia. It was the team's eighteenth season as a professional cycling team, and its eleventh with UCI ProTeam – Trade Team 1 between 2001 and 2004 – status. As a UCI ProTeam, they were automatically invited and obligated to send a squad to every event on the UCI World Tour calendar. For the second year in a row, the traditionally all-Basque team added a French rider. This year, it was second-year professional Pierre Cazaux, who rode for FDJ 2010b in 2010. The team achieved ten victories in 2011, down from a tally of seventeen the previous season, but among the ten were some of the most difficult days of racing in the entire season. These included back-to-back stages with summit finishes at the Giro d'Italia, with Igor Antón winning at the summit of the Monte Zoncolan,http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/526442/anton-conquers-zoncolan-in-shortened-giro-stage.html Anton conquers Zoncolan in shortened Giro stage Nigel Wynn 21 May 2011 30 March 2012 Cycling Weekly IPC Media Limited 19 November 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111119152731/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/526442/anton-conquers-zoncolan-in-shortened-giro-stage.html live and Mikel Nieve, who won by over 90 seconds the following day at the Val di Fassa.http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/526452/nieve-wins-giro-mountain-marathon-as-contador-continues-at-the-top.html Nieve wins Giro mountain marathon as Contador continues at the top Nigel Wynn 22 May 2011 30 March 2012 Cycling Weekly IPC Media Limited 19 November 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111119161916/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/526452/nieve-wins-giro-mountain-marathon-as-contador-continues-at-the-top.html live The squad's captain at the Tour de France, Samuel Sánchez won the first high-mountain finish of the race, up to Luz Ardiden; he eventually finished the race in fifth place overall, and won the King of the Mountains sub-classification.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/14266126 Mark Cavendish wins historic green jersey 24 July 2011 30 March 2012 BBC Sport BBC The polka-dot jersey for the Tour's best climber went to Spain's Samuel Sanchez, while Frenchman Pierre Rolland was confirmed as the best young rider with the white jersey. 5 April 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120405163717/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/14266126 live Though he failed to figure as an overall contender at the Vuelta a España, Antón won the first Vuelta stage ending in the Basque Country in 33 years, a stage with clear importance for the team.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/anton-makes-up-for-disappointing-vuelta-with-home-win-in-bilbao Anton makes up for disappointing Vuelta with home win in Bilbao 9 September 2011 30 March 2012 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 15 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120515175442/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/anton-makes-up-for-disappointing-vuelta-with-home-win-in-bilbao live 2011 roster Ages as of January 1, 2011.http://www.uciworldtour.com/Modules/SUCI/TEAMS/TeamDetails.asp?id=NQ&RefDate=30.12.2011&MenuId=MTYwMTc&LangId=1&BackLink=%2Ftemplates%2FUCI%2FUCI2%2Flayout%2Easp%3FMenuId%3DMTYwMTc%26LangId%3D1 Euskaltel-Euskadi (EUS) - ESP 30 December 2011 30 March 2012 UCI World Tour Union Cycliste Internationale 31 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120331032332/http://www.uciworldtour.com/Modules/SUCI/TEAMS/TeamDetails.asp?id=NQ&RefDate=30.12.2011&MenuId=MTYwMTc&LangId=1&BackLink=%2Ftemplates%2FUCI%2FUCI2%2Flayout.asp%3FMenuId%3DMTYwMTc&LangId=1 live Igor Antón ESP 2011 1 1 1983 3 2 Javier Aramendia ESP 2011 1 1 1986 12 5 Mikel AstarlozaAstarloza joined the team on August 3, following the completion of a drugs ban.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/astarloza-returns-after-two-year-ban Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 3 August 2011 30 March 2012 Astarloza returns after two-year ban 9 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121009131110/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/astarloza-returns-after-two-year-ban live "N" ESP 2011 1 1 1979 11 17 Jorge Azanza ESP 2011 1 1 1982 6 16 Pello BilbaoBilbao joined the team on March 1.http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=36185 Pello Bilbao da el salto al Euskaltel-Euskadi: "Ha sido una gran sorpresa" Spanish Pello Bilbao makes the leap to Euskaltel-Euskadi: "It was a big surprise" Biciciclismo Gurenet Teknologia S.L. 1 March 2011 30 March 2012 5 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120605220248/http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=36185 live "N" ESP 2011 1 1 1990 2 25 Jonathan Castroviejo ESP 2011 1 1 1987 4 27 Pierre Cazaux FRA 2011 1 1 1984 6 7 Koldo Fernández ESP 2011 1 1 1981 9 13 Iñaki Isasi ESP 2011 1 1 1977 4 20 Gorka Izagirre ESP 2011 1 1 1987 10 7 Jon Izagirre ESP 2011 1 1 1989 2 4 Mikel Landa ESP 2011 1 1 1989 12 13 Egoi Martínez ESP 2011 1 1 1978 5 15 Miguel Minguez ESP 2011 1 1 1988 8 30 Mikel Nieve ESP 2011 1 1 1984 5 26 Juan José Oroz ESP 2011 1 1 1980 11 7 Alan Pérez ESP 2011 1 1 1982 7 15 Rubén Pérez ESP 2011 1 1 1981 10 30 Samuel Sánchez ESP 2011 1 1 1978 2 5 Daniel Sesma ESP 2011 1 1 1984 6 18 Romain Sicard FRA 2011 1 1 1988 1 1 Amets Txurruka ESP 2011 1 1 1982 11 10 Pablo Urtasun ESP 2011 1 1 1980 3 29 Iván Velasco ESP 2011 1 1 1980 2 8 Gorka Verdugo ESP 2011 1 1 1978 11 4 Riders who joined the team for the 2011 season Rider2010 teamPierre CazauxFDJ 2010bhttp://www.cyclingnews.com/news/basque-racer-pierre-cazaux-fitting-in-perfectly-at-euskaltel-euskadi Basque racer Pierre Cazaux fitting in perfectly at Euskaltel-Euskadi Carrey, Pierre Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 28 August 2011 26 October 2011 30 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110830100811/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/basque-racer-pierre-cazaux-fitting-in-perfectly-at-euskaltel-euskadi live Jon IzagirreOrbeahttp://velonews.competitor.com/2010/11/news/euskaltel-euskadi-celebrates-best-season-in-team-history_150780# Euskaltel-Euskadi celebrates best season in team history Hood, Andrew Velonews Competitor Group, Inc. 23 November 2010 26 October 2011 14 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150414071904/http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/11/news/euskaltel-euskadi-celebrates-best-season-in-team-history_150780 dead Mikel LandaOrbeaPello BilbaoOrbea Riders who left the team during or after the 2010 season Rider2011 teamSergio De LisRetiredhttp://www.cyclingnews.com/news/euskaltels-de-lis-quits-cycling Euskaltel’s De Lis quits cycling Cossins, Peter Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 9 August 2010 26 October 2011 30 May 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160530112845/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/euskaltels-de-lis-quits-cycling/ live Aitor GaldósCaja Ruralhttp://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/aitor-galdos-alonso Aitor Galdos Alonso Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 26 October 2011 7 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110807110123/http://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/aitor-galdos-alonso live Aitor HernándezNoneBeñat IntxaustiMOV 2011http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/6476/Movistars-Benat-Intxausti-looking-to-build-on-2010s-success-next-year.aspx Movistar's Beñat Intxausti looking to build on 2010's success next year Gruber, Jered Velonation 24 November 2010 26 October 2011 28 November 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101128214243/http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/6476/Movistars-Benat-Intxausti-looking-to-build-on-2010s-success-next-year.aspx live One-day races Prior to the spring season and the races known as classics, the team was active at the Vuelta a Mallorca series of single-day races. They took high placings at the unofficial Trofeo Palma de Mallorca (Fernández in eighth)Susan Westemeyer http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/trofeo-palma-de-mallorca-1-1/results Farrar takes his first win of the season 2011-02-06 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-09-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20110918171333/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/trofeo-palma-de-mallorca-1-1/results live and at the Trofeo Inca (Izagirre in 9th).Susan Westemeyer http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/trofeo-inca-inca-1-1/results Hermans prevails in Trofeo Inca 2011-02-08 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-09-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20110918164313/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/trofeo-inca-inca-1-1/results live Spring classics Team captain Sánchez took the team's first race win of the season at the GP Miguel Indurain. The team effectively controlled the front of the race all day, keeping the peloton at a high pace and reeling in breakaways, including one from MOV 2011's Vasil Kiryienka in the final kilometers that Sánchez later described as "strong." Atop the Basilica del Puy, Sánchez outsprinted second placed Alexandr Kolobnev so convincingly that he opened a time gap of 2 seconds.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/13th-gran-premio-miguel-indurain-1-hc/results Sanchez outpowers Kolobnev for GP Indurain win 2011-04-02 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-04-04 2011-04-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20110405051839/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/13th-gran-premio-miguel-indurain-1-hc/results live Sánchez also turned in a good ride at La Flèche Wallonne. The Asturian rode with the race's top favorites all day, and came third behind Philippe Gilbert and Joaquim Rodríguez atop the Mur de Huy at the finish. Brecht Decaluwé http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/la-fleche-wallonne-his/results Gilbert takes audacious victory atop Mur de Huy 2011-04-20 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-04-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20110425034645/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/la-fleche-wallonne-his/results 2011-04-25 dead Sánchez also finished near to the front of the race at the last of the Ardennes classics, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, with tenth on the day. Brecht Decaluwé http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/liege-bastogne-liege-his/results Gilbert the great! 2011-04-24 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-04-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20110427052944/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/liege-bastogne-liege-his/results 2011-04-27 dead The team's presence at other single-day races in the spring season was paltry. Only two other races featured top-ten finishes from the team. Txurruka took seventh at the Klasika Primavera, finishing staunchly in the middle of a 15-man sprint at the finish. Antón similarly made all the day's selections and finished 11th in this group, as he built his form for the Giro d'Italia.Alex Hinds http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/57th-klasika-primavera-de-amorebieta-1-1/results Hivert takes sprint from select group 2011-04-11 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-09-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20110916081610/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/57th-klasika-primavera-de-amorebieta-1-1/results live Later in April at the Gran Premio de Llodio, Nieve rode to eighth-place finishing with the first chase group behind a solo winner.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gran-premio-llodio-1-1/results Santi Perez wins GP Llodio 2011-04-23 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-09-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20110917025322/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gran-premio-llodio-1-1/results live The team also sent squads to the Clásica de Almería,http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/02/news/road/2011-clasica-de-almeria_161929 2011 Clasica de Almeria VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 27 February 2011 30 March 2012 28 February 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150228110545/http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/02/news/road/2011-clasica-de-almeria_161929 live Milan–San Remo,http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/03/news/road/2011-milan-san-remo-results_164531 2011 Milan-San Remo results VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 19 March 2011 30 March 2012 12 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150712073325/http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/03/news/road/2011-milan-san-remo-results_164531 live Gent–Wevelgem,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gent-wevelgem-upt/results Boonen sprints to victory 27 March 2011 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 30 March 2012 27 May 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160527220421/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gent-wevelgem-upt/results/ live the Tour of Flanders,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-flanders-upt/results Nuyens makes his big break through 3 April 2011 Cycling News Brecht Decaluwé 30 March 2012 Future Publishing Limited 6 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110406122305/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-flanders-upt/results live the Scheldeprijs,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/scheldeprijs-1-hc/results Cavendish prevails in Scheldeprijs 6 April 2011 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 30 March 2012 3 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120303040404/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/scheldeprijs-1-hc/results live the Grand Prix Pino Cerami,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/grand-prix-pino-cerami-1-1/results Scheirlinckx slays the Dragon 7 April 2011 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 30 March 2012 16 September 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110916130856/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/grand-prix-pino-cerami-1-1/results live Paris–Roubaix,http://www.letour.fr/2011/PRX/LIVE/us/100/classement/index.html Standing Paris–Roubaix Amaury Sport Organisation 10 April 2011 30 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120325024410/http://www.letour.fr/2011/PRX/LIVE/us/100/classement/index.html 25 March 2012 dead dmy-all the Amstel Gold Race,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/amstel-gold-race-upt/results Gilbert repeats at Amstel Gold Race Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 17 April 2011 30 March 2012 20 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110420025939/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/amstel-gold-race-upt/results live and the Vuelta a La Rioja,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-ciclista-a-la-rioja-1-1-1/results Erviti bests Suarez for Rioja win Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 24 April 2011 30 March 2012 7 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121007212154/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-ciclista-a-la-rioja-1-1-1/results live but finished no higher than 12th in any of these races. Paris–Roubaix figured as an especially difficult day for the team, as Alan Pérez was the team's only classified finisher and was well down in 107th place on the day. Brecht Decaluwé http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-roubaix-his/results Van Summeren solos to gutsy victory at Paris-Roubaix 2011-04-10 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20110412011131/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-roubaix-his/results 2011-04-12 dead Fall races The team had few noteworthy performances in later-season single-day races. Sánchez held the Clásica de San Sebastián as a target for his season, hoping to be the first Euskaltel-Euskadi rider to win the race.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sanchez-to-skip-vuelta-a-espana Sanchez to skip Vuelta a España 2011-07-26 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-11-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20111104190503/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sanchez-to-skip-vuelta-a-espana live Sánchez rode at the front of the race most of the day, until the winner Philippe Gilbert made his signature solo attack to earn victory. Sánchez finished near the back of the chase pack 14 seconds down the road, for eighth place on the day.Barry Ryan http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/clasica-ciclista-san-sebastian-upt/results Gilbert's stunning season continues with San Sebastian victory 2011-07-30 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2012-04-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20120420053314/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/clasica-ciclista-san-sebastian-upt/results live Izagirre just missed the podium at the Prueba Villafranca de Ordizia, finishing fourth in a five-man escape that decided the race.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/prueba-villafranca-ordiziako-klasika-2011/results Simon wins Prueba Villafranca de Ordizia 2011-07-25 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-08-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20110807084334/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/prueba-villafranca-ordiziako-klasika-2011/results live Near the end of the season, the team did obtain a podium finish. Trainee rider Peio Bilbao finished second in October's Tour de Vendée. He was just edged out by VCD 2011's Marco Marcato in a five-man sprint finish. Only 14 riders officially completed this race due to race organizers strictly enforcing the time cut.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-vendee-1-hc-1/results Marcato wins from the break 2011-10-02 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-12-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20111204160415/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-vendee-1-hc-1/results live The team also sent squads to the Circuito de Getxo,http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/07/news/road/2011-circuito-de-getxo-memorial-ricardo-otxoa-results_186639 2011 Circuito De Getxo Memorial Ricardo Otxoa results VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 31 July 2011 30 March 2012 4 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001444/http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/07/news/road/2011-circuito-de-getxo-memorial-ricardo-otxoa-results_186639 live the Châteauroux Classic,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/chateauroux-classic-de-lindre-trophee-fenioux-1-1-2/results Ravard wins in Châteauroux Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 21 August 2011 30 March 2012 12 September 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110912124259/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/chateauroux-classic-de-lindre-trophee-fenioux-1-1-2/results live Vattenfall Cyclassics,http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/08/news/road/2011-vattenfall-cyclassics-results_188826 2011 Vattenfall Cyclassics results VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 21 August 2011 30 March 2012 4 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105435/http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/08/news/road/2011-vattenfall-cyclassics-results_188826 live the GP Ouest-France,http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/08/news/road/2011-grand-prix-ouest-france-results_190228 2011 Grand Prix Ouest-France results VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 28 August 2011 30 March 2012August 2026 InternetArchiveBot the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/grand-prix-cycliste-de-quebec-upt-1/results Kirsten Frattini Gilbert triumphs in GP Quebec City 9 September 2011 Cycling News 30 March 2012 Future Publishing Limited 30 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120330113049/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/grand-prix-cycliste-de-quebec-upt-1/results live the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/grand-prix-cycliste-de-montreal-upt-1/results Kirsten Frattini Costa claims GP Montreal 11 September 2011 Cycling News 30 March 2012 Future Publishing Limited 24 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120324235125/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/grand-prix-cycliste-de-montreal-upt-1/results live Paris–Tours,http://www.letour.fr/2011/PAT/LIVE/us/100/classement/index.html Standing Élite Paris–Tours Amaury Sport Organisation 9 October 2011 30 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120126104638/http://www.letour.fr/2011/PAT/LIVE/us/100/classement/index.html 26 January 2012 dead dmy-all the Giro del Piemonte,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-del-piemonte-1-hc-1/results Moreno wins Gran Piemonte 13 October 2011 Cycling News 30 March 2012 Future Publishing Limited 8 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120508054252/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-del-piemonte-1-hc-1/results live and the Giro di Lombardia,http://www.cyclingnews.com/giro-di-lombardia/results Zaugg solos to win in Lombardia 15 October 2011 Cycling News 30 March 2012 Future Publishing Limited Daniel Friebe dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120523014636/http://www.cyclingnews.com/giro-di-lombardia/results 23 May 2012 but finished no higher than 15th in any of these races. Stage races Sánchez won stage 4 at the Tour of the Basque Country in April, the team's first win in a stage race on the season. He made the day's selections and stayed with an elite group which formed at the top of the Arrate climb. Sánchez attacked on the descent and won the stage that way, though he did not have a time gap at the finish. Sánchez had also won the stage run on this same course in 2010.Stephen Farrand http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/51st-vuelta-ciclista-al-pais-vasco-upt/stage-4/results Sanchez prevails in Eibar 2011-04-07 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-04-11 2011-04-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20110410121100/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/51st-vuelta-ciclista-al-pais-vasco-upt/stage-4/results live Antón finished on the podium, in third, at the Vuelta a Castilla y León,Peter Hymas http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/26th-vuelta-a-castilla-y-leon-2-1/stage-5/results Tondo wins Vuelta a Castilla y Leon 2011-04-17 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-04-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20110426184952/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/26th-vuelta-a-castilla-y-leon-2-1/stage-5/results 26 April 2011 live thanks to a fourth place on the race's one summit finish and a solid individual time trial the next day.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/26th-vuelta-a-castilla-y-leon-2-1/stage-3/results Savini steals queen stage as Contador's hopes vanish 2011-04-15 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-04-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20110427050201/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/26th-vuelta-a-castilla-y-leon-2-1/stage-3/results 27 April 2011 liveCycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/26th-vuelta-a-castilla-y-leon-2-1/stage-4/results Contador best against the clock 2011-04-16 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-04-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20110427050154/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/26th-vuelta-a-castilla-y-leon-2-1/stage-4/results 27 April 2011 live At the Tour de Romandie, Castroviejo took a relatively rare time trial win for the team, coming home mere tenths of a second better than Taylor Phinney and Leigh Howard in the 3.5 km 1 on prologue.Laura Weislo http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-romandie-upt/prologue/results Castroviejo stuns in Romandie prologue 2011-04-26 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-05-02 2011-04-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20110429045834/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-romandie-upt/prologue/results live He turned in another strong time trial later in the Tour de Romandie, finishing ninth in the stage 4 race against the clock, which was 20.1 km 1 on long, as well as eighth earlier in the season in the 9.3 km 1 on time trial which closed out the Tirreno–Adriatico.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-romandie-upt/stage-4/results Zabriskie powers to Romandie time trial 2011-04-30 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-05-02 2011-05-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20110503062106/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-romandie-upt/stage-4/results liveStephen Farrand http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/46th-tirreno-adriatico-his/stage-7/results Cancellara crushes final Tirreno stage 2011-03-15 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-05-02 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110318172554/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/46th-tirreno-adriatico-his/stage-7/results 2011-03-18 Castroviejo further confirmed his prowess in the short time trial by winning stage 1 of the Vuelta a la Comunidad de Madrid, a 7.8 km 1 on timed race. No rider finished within 10 seconds of his winning time.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/25th-vuelta-a-la-comunidad-de-madrid-2-1/stage-1/results Castroviejo captures opening stage time trial 2011-05-07 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-05-11 2011-05-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20110511083351/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/25th-vuelta-a-la-comunidad-de-madrid-2-1/stage-1/results live The team had a successful Vuelta a Burgos in August. Defending champion Sánchez won the first stage, atop San Juan del Monte, by outkicking Joaquim Rodríguez in sight of the line as the two finished four seconds better than any other riders.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-burgos-2-hc/stage-1/results Defending champion Sanchez wins Burgos opener 2011-08-03 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-11-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20111104205428/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-burgos-2-hc/stage-1/results live However, he lost the race lead to Rodríguez when the latter won stage 2 in the city of Burgos.Peter Hymas http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-burgos-2-hc/stage-2/results Rodríguez reigns in Burgos 2011-08-04 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-11-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20111104204043/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-burgos-2-hc/stage-2/results live The stage 3 team time trial then dropped Sánchez to fifth overall,Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-burgos-2-hc/stage-3/results Movistar rocket to TTT victory 2011-08-05 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-11-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20111104204607/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-burgos-2-hc/stage-3/results live before he improved to fourth after stage 4.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-burgos-2-hc/stage-4/results Moreno motors to hilltop stage win 2011-08-06 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-11-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20111104203819/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-burgos-2-hc/stage-4/results live Landa won stage 5 from a breakaway, his first professional victory. Winning the final climb also gave him enough points to take the race's mountains classification. The squad placed three riders in the top ten, with Sánchez fourth, Antón eighth, and Nieve tenth.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-burgos-2-hc/stage-5/results Rodríguez wins Vuelta a Burgos 2011-08-07 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-11-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20111104204337/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-burgos-2-hc/stage-5/results live Antón rounded out the team's season by winning the climber's prize at the inaugural Tour of Beijing.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-beijing-wt/stage-5/results Galimzyanov gets green with final stage win 2011-10-09 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-12-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20111212133130/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-beijing-wt/stage-5/results live The team also sent squads to the Tour Down Under,http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/santos-tour-down-under-provisional-start-list 2011 Santos Tour Down Under start list Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 17 January 2011 30 March 2012 29 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120329050736/http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/santos-tour-down-under-provisional-start-list live the Vuelta a Andalucía,http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-a-andalucia-ruta-ciclista-del-sol-start-list Vuelta a Andalucia (Ruta Ciclista Del Sol) start list Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 21 February 2011 30 March 2012 7 September 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110907152137/http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-a-andalucia-ruta-ciclista-del-sol-start-list live the Vuelta a Murcia,http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-ciclista-a-la-region-de-murcia-start-list Vuelta Ciclista a la Region de Murcia start list Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 1 March 2011 30 March 2012 7 September 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110907142415/http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-ciclista-a-la-region-de-murcia-start-list live Paris–Nice,http://www.letour.fr/2011/PNC/RIDERS/us/partants.html Riders list Paris–Nice Amaury Sport Organisation 30 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120130110046/http://www.letour.fr/2011/PNC/RIDERS/us/partants.html 30 January 2012 dead dmy-all Tirreno–Adriatico,http://www.cyclingnews.com/tirreno-adriatico/start-list Tirreno–Adriatico 2011 start list Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 30 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120317114735/http://www.cyclingnews.com/tirreno-adriatico/start-list 17 March 2012 dead dmy-all the Volta a Catalunya,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/volta-ciclista-a-catalunya-upt-1/start-list Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2011 start list Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 30 March 2012 16 September 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110916235957/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/volta-ciclista-a-catalunya-upt-1/start-list live Bayern-Rundfahrt,http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/bayern-rundfahrt-start-list-1 Bayern Rundfahrt: Start list Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 24 May 2011 30 March 2012 8 September 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110908003638/http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/bayern-rundfahrt-start-list-1 live the Critérium du Dauphiné,http://www.letour.fr/2011/CDD/RIDERS/us/partants.html Riders list Critérium du Dauphiné Amaury Sport Organisation 30 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120204160003/http://www.letour.fr/2011/CDD/RIDERS/us/partants.html 4 February 2012 dead dmy-all the Tour de Suisse,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/75th-tour-de-suisse-upt/start-list Tour de Suisse 2011 start list Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 30 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120330002753/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/75th-tour-de-suisse-upt/start-list 30 March 2012 dead dmy-all the Brixia Tour,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/brixia-tour-2-1-1/start-list Brixia Tour 2011 start list Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 30 March 2012 21 July 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110721060503/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/brixia-tour-2-1-1/start-list live the Eneco Tour,http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/eneco-tour-upt-2/start-list Eneco Tour 2011 start list Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 30 March 2012 29 December 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111229095226/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/eneco-tour-upt-2/start-list live and the Tour du Poitou-Charentes,http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tour-du-poitou-charentes-start-list Tour du Poitou-Charentes start list Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 30 March 2012 22 August 2011 28 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110828055628/http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tour-du-poitou-charentes-start-list live but did not achieve a stage win, classification win, or podium finish in any of them. Grand Tours Giro d'Italia Euskaltel-Euskadi has in their history been reticent to ride the Giro d'Italia, favoring the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España instead. After first indicating a reluctant willingness to participate as per the requirements of holding a ProTeam license,Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/euskaltel-will-ride-giro-if-required-to-do-so Euskaltel will ride Giro if required to do so 2010-10-19 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2011-09-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20110907182129/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/euskaltel-will-ride-giro-if-required-to-do-so live the team later stated that they intended to seek overall victory in the race with Antón.Barry Ryan http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/euskaltel-euskadi-reveal-2011-objectives Euskaltel will ride Giro if required to do so 2010-11-25 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2011-09-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20110907234400/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/euskaltel-euskadi-reveal-2011-objectives live Antón was named as the leader of the squad, which included Nieve, Oroz, Isasi, Aramendía, Azanza, Cazaux, Sesma and Minguez to ride in support.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/anton-to-lead-euskaltel-euskadi-in-giro-ditalia Anton to lead Euskaltel Euskadi in Giro d'Italia 2011-04-12 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2011-10-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20111015103803/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/anton-to-lead-euskaltel-euskadi-in-giro-ditalia live Antón tempered the expectations somewhat, saying that a stage win would be nice, as would General Classification success should it come, but that he was only banking on riding for the overall at the Vuelta a España.Jean-François Quénet http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/anton-is-only-one-kilogram-away-from-a-stage-win Anton is only one kilogram away from a stage win 2011-05-20 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2012-01-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20120128001845/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/anton-is-only-one-kilogram-away-from-a-stage-win live thumb|left|alt=A man in his mid twenties wearing an orange cycling jersey with white and green trim, and a blasck baseball cap.|Mikel Nieve won the queen stage at the Giro d'Italia, one of the hardest stages in many years at the Grand Tours. The squad was dead last of 23 teams in the stage 1 team time trial, losing more than a minute to the winners THR 2011,Stephen Farrand http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-1/results HTC-Highroad triumphs in team time trial 2011-05-07 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2014-03-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20140302032455/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-1/results live a result later described by team captain Antón as "a bit ugly".http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/anton-im-not-here-for-the-maglia-rosa Alex Hinds 9 May 2011 31 March 2012 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited Anton: I'm not here for the Maglia Rosa 6 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120306125058/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/anton-im-not-here-for-the-maglia-rosa live Antón finished with the group of overall favorites in the selective fifth and seventh stages, and was solidly eighth in stage 9 when eventual Giro champion Alberto Contador won the day and first took the race lead, but sat only in 11th place as a result.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-9/results Contador climbs to stage victory and into overall lead 2011-05-15 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2014-03-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20140302084859/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-9/results live The squad was, as could be expected, far more successful in the second and more mountainous half of the race. Antón's ride on stage 13 ending at Grossglockner in Austria moved him into the top ten overall for the first time, at seventh place, though he was again distanced from Contador at the front of the race and lay over four minutes down.Peter Cossins http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-13/results Contador extends GC lead as rivals suffer 2011-05-20 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2014-03-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20140302094325/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-13/results live The next day's stage ended at Monte Zoncolan, one of the steepest climbs in all of professional cycling. Antón rode with the top overall riders until about 7.5 km 1 on to go, when he attacked and broke free. Riding for a time with Contador and Joaquim Rodríguez, who had bridged up, Antón put in another attack with 6 km on left to go, and surpassed the remaining riders from the morning breakaway to occupy first position on the road. He rode alone to the finish for the stage win, by 33 seconds over Contador in second place.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-14/results Anton conquers Monte Zoncolan 2011-05-21 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2014-06-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20140605064451/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-14/results live Antón revealed after the stage that he had never ridden the climb before, having only seen it on television. He admitted it was a risk to attack for victory from as far out as he did and that he suffered badly in the final few kilometers, but was still able to hold on. Antón called the Zoncolan climb "mythical" and "absolutely the hardest climb for a bike race." The result installed him into third place overall, still more than three minutes down on Contador but only a single second behind Vincenzo Nibali for second place. Antón mused that he may try to hold on to his podium placing to the conclusion of the race.Jean-François Quénet http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/anton-delighted-after-mythical-stage-win-at-giro-ditalia Anton delighted after mythical stage win at Giro d’Italia 2011-05-21 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2012-01-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20120128004203/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/anton-delighted-after-mythical-stage-win-at-giro-ditalia live The next day featured the third consecutive summit finish prior to the second rest day, at Gardeccia, near the Fascia Valley. Nieve figured into a high-powered breakaway that formed right as the morning's initial breakaway was caught, after about 50 km on had been raced. Also in the group were former Grand Tour winners Stefano Garzelli, Danilo Di Luca, and Carlos Sastre, and it was Nieve and Garzelli who formed a chase behind VCD 2011's Johnny Hoogerland on the way to the Cima Coppi (the Giro's tallest climb) at the Passo Giau. Garzelli took the climb, and the Passo Fedaia that followed, and maintained first position on the road well into the stage-concluding climb, but Nieve eventually caught and passed him with 5.7 km 1 on left to race. Nieve won the stage, and as he approached the finish line he attempted to raise his arms in a gesture of triumph, but he found himself too fatigued to do even that. Nieve's ride had taken nearly seven and a half hours, visiting five grueling high-category climbs along the way. The day was not a good one for Antón. He finished eight minutes back of teammate Nieve, losing between four and six minutes to the race's top overall riders. He fell back to 11th with the day's results, while Nieve entered the top ten at fifth overall.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-15/results Two’s a treat for Nieve and Euskaltel-Euskadi 2011-05-22 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2014-03-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20140302095907/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-15/results live Despite the stage 16 individual time trial being almost fully composed of the Nevegal climb, Antón finished the stage in 13th, a minute and 21 seconds back of the day's winner Contador while Nieve was 36th, two minutes 19 seconds down. Nieve fell to sixth overall, while Antón moved past David Arroyo for tenth as Arroyo lost even more time than Antón did.Peter Cossins http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-16/results Contador time trials to stage win to extend lead 2011-05-24 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2014-06-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20140605064457/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-16/results live While Antón again fell from the top ten as a result of Kanstantsin Sivtsov's stage 17 breakaway ride gaining him just under three minutes,Peter Hymas http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-17/results Ulissi awarded stage after Visconti gets grabby 2011-05-25 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2014-03-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20140302085932/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-17/results live Nieve's position held steady until stage 20, the Giro's final road race. MOV 2011's Vasil Kiryienka rode to a dominant stage victory, coming in almost five minutes before the day's second-placed rider and about six minutes ahead of the largest group of the race's top riders. Nieve was a further three minutes down in 17th, and fell to tenth overall.Susan Westemeyer http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-20/results Kiryienka soars to Sestriere 2011-05-28 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2014-03-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20140302100126/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-20/results live Nieve stood to lose time in the more straightforward stage 21 individual time trial, where he, like most of the team, struggles mightily. He indeed finished well down, in 114th place on the day nearly four minutes slower than the day's winner David Millar. With Sivtsov tenth two and a half minutes better than Nieve, he took the Basque's top-ten overall position, leaving Nieve to finish the Giro 11th overall. Antón, for his part, finished in 18th place, having lost nearly twenty minutes in stage 19.Peter Cossins http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-19/results Tiralongo gets by with a little help from a friend 2011-05-27 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2014-03-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20140302092519/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-19/results liveBarry Ryan http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-21/results Contador claims second Giro d'Italia victory 2011-05-29 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-11-29 2014-02-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20140227003148/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2011/stage-21/results live Tour de France With Antón focusing on the Vuelta a España, Sánchez led the squad sent to the Tour de France.VeloNews.com http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/06/news/samuel-sanchez-to-lead-euskaltel-euskadi-at-the-2011-tour-de-france_179517 Samuel Sánchez to lead Euskaltel-Euskadi at the 2011 Tour de France 2011-06-20 VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 2011-12-02 2011-11-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20111127133639/http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/06/news/samuel-sanchez-to-lead-euskaltel-euskadi-at-the-2011-tour-de-france_179517 live Team manager Igor González de Galdeano said that a stage win was an important objective, having come very close to one with Sánchez in the 2010 Tour de France, only to have him lose a two-up sprint to Andy Schleck. He also hoped Sánchez would finish in the top three. With the stage 2 team time trial presenting such a clear detriment to Sánchez' overall hopes, the team gathered for a special training session about two weeks prior to the Tour to focus solely on that discipline. Martínez, Verdugo, Txurruka, Velasco, Urtasun, Izagirre, and Rubén and Alan Pérez were also named to the squad.Ben Atkins http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/8805/Euskaltel-Euskadi-announces-Tour-de-France-line-up.aspx Euskaltel-Euskadi announces Tour de France line up 2011-06-20 VeloNation VeloNation LLC 2011-12-02 2011-10-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20111023151936/http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/8805/Euskaltel-Euskadi-announces-Tour-de-France-line-up.aspx live thumb|left|alt=A road racing cyclist of about thirty, wearing a jersey and bike shorts adorned with decorative polka dots, a black baseball cap, and sunglasses on the cap. He has a smirk on his face, and various people stand behind him.|Samuel Sánchez held the King of the Mountains lead on two occasions, and won the jersey in Paris. Sánchez' overall hopes took an immediate hit. Near the end of stage 1, two crashes greatly reduced the number of riders who contested the finish at the Mont des Alouettes. Despite this finish being slightly uphill, the stage was classified flat, meaning any riders who crashed within the final 3 km on would receive the same finishing time as those they were with upon crashing, regardless of when they actually finished. The second of the two crashes occurred inside 3 km on, but the first did not, and it was behind that first crash that Sánchez, as well as two-time defending champion Alberto Contador, was caught. As a result of little more than bad luck, Sánchez was immediately a minute and 20 seconds down, in 79th place.Richard Moore http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-1/results Gilbert conquers Mont des Alouettes 2011-07-02 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-02 2016-11-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20161108200244/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-1/results/ live The next day, despite extra team time trial training prior to the Tour,http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/quick-step-and-euskaltel-euskadi-name-tour-de-france-teams Quick Step and Euskaltel-Euskadi name Tour de France teams Stephen Farrand Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 20 June 2011 31 March 2012 To prepare for the stage two team time trial, the Euskaltel-Euskadi riders will gather in Vitoria on Wednesday for special time trial training under Gonzalez de Galdeano’s watchful eye. 5 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120305115025/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/quick-step-and-euskaltel-euskadi-name-tour-de-france-teams live the squad finished still finished last of the 22 teams, losing a minute and 22 seconds to the day's winners GRM 2011. This dropped Sánchez to 104th place.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-2/results Garmin-Cervelo wins team time trial 2011-07-03 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-02 2017-01-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20170109172349/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-2/results/ live Sánchez began to climb back up the standings in stage 4, similar in profile to stage 1 as it was largely flat but with an uphill finish. Sánchez took eighth atop the Mûr-de-Bretagne, gaining 47 places in the standings as he took time out of the vast majority of the field.Peter Cossins http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-4/results Evans takes photo finish over Contador 2011-07-05 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2012-04-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20120428124722/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-4/results live Sánchez finished close to the front of the race on stage 8 on Super Besse. MOV 2011's Rui Costa took the victory alone a few seconds ahead of the field, but Sánchez finished fourth, in the first large group, improving his position to 29th.Peter Cossins http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-8/results Costa claims Movistar's first Tour stage 2011-07-09 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2012-03-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20120302202027/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-8/results live Sánchez' time gap to the race leader grew as a result of stage 9, when Thomas Voeckler took the yellow jersey from a breakaway, but his position improved, to 20th, since riders who had begun the day ahead of him lost more time than he did.Peter Cossins http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-9/results Luis León Sánchez wins crash-hit stage 2011-07-10 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2017-01-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20170109172537/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-9/results/ live Stage 12, the Bastille Day stage, was the first particularly difficult mountain stage in this Tour. It ended at the hors catégorie climb Luz Ardiden, and also visited the hors catégorie Col du Tourmalet and a never-before-seen first category climb La Hourquette d'Ancizan. Sánchez effectively stayed with the group of overall favorites throughout the day, and attacked with OLO 2011's Jelle Vanendert on the way up to Luz Ardiden, surpassing the morning breakaway. Starting his sprint for the finish line from 250 m on out, Sánchez won so convincingly that he opened up a 7-second time gap on Vanendert. It was Sánchez' first Tour stage win of his career and just the third in the team's history – one of them had come from former rider Roberto Laiseka on this very mountain in the 2001 Tour de France. Given the new points system for the mountains classification, Sánchez took the polka-dot jersey as mountains leader due to this win, even though he had not previously scored a single point. The result also installed him into the top ten overall for the first time, as he occupied eighth place.Susan Westemeyer http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-12/results Sanchez prevails on Luz-Ardiden 2011-07-14 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2012-04-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20120428124717/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-12/results live The next day, by winning the Col d'Aubisque climb, Jérémy Roy took the mountains classification lead from Sánchez.Peter Cossins http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-13/results Hushovd wins miracle stage in Lourdes 2011-07-15 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2012-03-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20120302221727/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-13/results live In stage 14, the overall favorites chased down a breakaway on the way to the Plateau de Beille summit finish. Once they occupied first position on the road, Andy Schleck tried numerous times to escape but was unable. Vanendert went, and no one but Sánchez put in any serious attempt to chase him down. Vanendert won the stage, and took the mountains classification lead, with Sánchez finishing second, exactly reversing their fates from stage 12. Sánchez also improved to sixth overall with this result.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-14/results Vanendert tops Plateau de Beille 2011-07-16 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2012-01-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20120109163610/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-14/results live Sánchez improved further in stage 16. While previous race leader Thor Hushovd won the stage from a breakaway, Sánchez, as well as Cadel Evans and Alberto Contador, took time out of some of the race's other top riders by riding away from them on the descent to the finish. Evans was three seconds the better of Sánchez and Contador, who were in turn 18 seconds faster than race leader Thomas Voeckler, Fränk Schleck, Damiano Cunego, and others. They were also 51 seconds the better of Ivan Basso and more than a minute better than Andy Schleck. This result moved Sánchez up to fifth place.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-16/results Hushovd smashes breakaway for second stage win 2011-07-19 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2017-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20170110075602/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-16/results/ live Sánchez lost time on stage 18 on the Col du Galibier, finishing 18th almost five minutes behind stage winner Andy Schleck and between one and three minutes behind the race's other top riders. He fell back to eighth because of this.Susan Westemeyer http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-18/results Schleck's mountain raid nets stage win 2011-07-21 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2016-11-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20161108195814/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-18/results/ live thumb|right|alt=Four road racing cyclists viewed from behind, wearing special jerseys that are, from left to right, prominently white, yellow, green, and red polka-dotted.|Sánchez, at far right, before the start of the Tour's final stage, with the other jersey winners. Sánchez rebounded to turn in another strong ride on Alpe d'Huez in stage 19. He, along with Contador and Pierre Rolland formed the leading group on the way up the climb. Contador, who had been riding out front much of the stage after an early attack, faded first and finished the day in third place. Rolland eventually rode away from Sánchez for the stage win, but Sánchez' second place on the day moved him up to seventh overall, and back into the mountains classification lead.Peter Cossins http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-19/results Rolland wins on the Alpe d'Huez at end of epic stage 2011-07-22 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2016-11-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20161117004435/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-19/results/ live Sánchez, as well as Contador, moved up a place in the stage 20 individual time trial. Damiano Cunego, who had been in fifth place and is considered a poor time trialist, had a bad race against the clock even by his standards, losing two minutes to most of the race's top overall riders and more than three to the stage winner.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-20/results Evans conquers all with picture perfect time trial 2011-07-23 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2017-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20170110075617/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-20/results/ live This moved him up to sixth place overall, the position in which he concluded the race the next day, while also finishing as mountains classification winner.Barry Ryan http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-21/results Cadel Evans wins 2011 Tour de France 2011-07-24 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2012-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20120110054010/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2011/stage-21/results live Vuelta a España Antón, as expected, was named as the squad leader for the Vuelta a España. His goal was overall success. He was joined in the squad by fellow Giro d'Italia stage winner Nieve, Martínez, Verdugo, Txurruka, Oroz, Isasi, Azanza and Cazaux.Shane Stokes http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9345/Igor-Anton-to-head-Euskaltel-Euskadi-team-in-Vuelta-a-Espana.aspx Igor Anton to head Euskaltel Euskadi team in Vuelta a España 2011-08-09 VeloNation VeloNation LLC 2011-12-03 2012-09-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20120923180654/http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9345/Igor-Anton-to-head-Euskaltel-Euskadi-team-in-Vuelta-a-Espana.aspx live Nieve commented a day into the Vuelta that he would ride solely to support Antón, despite the fact that both had won Giro stages and he (Nieve) had actually finished the race higher overall.Kyle Moore http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9487/Mikel-Nieve-All-for-Igor-Anton-at-the-Vuelta.aspx Mikel Nieve: All for Igor Anton at the Vuelta 2011-08-21 VeloNation VeloNation LLC 2011-12-03 2012-09-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20120923180454/http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9487/Mikel-Nieve-All-for-Igor-Anton-at-the-Vuelta.aspx live The squad was solidly better in the stage 1 team time trial than they had been in the equivalent stages at the Italian and French Grand Tours, coming in 12th of the 22 teams. The result installed Antón 24 seconds back of defending champion Vincenzo Nibali, whose LIQ 2011 squad finished second.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-1/results Leopard Trek claims team time trial 2011-08-20 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-09-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20110919075256/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-1/results live Antón had a bad ride on the Vuelta's first day in the mountains, in stage 4. On a blisteringly hot day, Antón lost contact with the main group of overall favorites on the way to the summit finish at Sierra Nevada, losing a minute and a half to the stage winner and more than a minute to the race's top favorites.Peter Cossins http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-4/results Moreno climbs to stage victory in the Sierra Nevada 2011-08-23 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-09-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20110919022813/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-4/results live Antón admitted that he did not have the form of 2010, when he crashed out of the race while holding the overall lead. He said that even on the flat third stage he had come close to losing time to the peloton, and that while there was a long way left to race, he effectively ruled himself out of overall contention. Nieve, on the other hand, had finished with the race's top riders, and lay 14th overall at this point.Ben Atkins http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9511/Igor-Anton-I-dont-have-the-form-of-last-year.aspx Igor Antón: "I don’t have the form of last year" 2011-08-23 VeloNation VeloNation LLC 2011-12-03 2016-03-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225451/http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9511/Igor-Anton-I-dont-have-the-form-of-last-year.aspx live Antón and Nieve both rode well on stage 8 to San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Joaquim Rodríguez claimed the stage win atop a climb featuring 27% gradients in places, while Antón took sixth 15 seconds back and Nieve 13th a further five seconds back.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-8/results Rodríguez climbs to stage win 2011-08-27 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130921120126/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-8/results 2013-09-21 Both finished well back on stage 9, with Nieve ceding 41 seconds to the day's winner and Antón close to two minutes.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-9/results Martin triumphs atop La Covatilla 2011-08-28 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-09-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20110918032655/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-9/results live Both were all but conclusively ruled out of any overall contention in the stage 10 individual time trial, losing between three and five minutes to the race's top overall riders after their earlier time losses.Daniel Benson http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-10/results Martin smashes Vuelta time trial 2011-08-29 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-09-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20110919022804/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-10/results live Txurruka found a winning breakaway in stage 11, but finished well back in seventh place, as David Moncoutié took a dominant solo win.Stephen Farrand http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-11/results Moncoutie prevails on Estación de Montaña Manzaneda 2011-08-31 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-11-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20111103152841/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-11/results live thumb|right|alt=A line of three road racing cyclists, led by one in an orange jersey. Spectators line the road on either side, mere inches from the cyclists.|Igor Antón riding at the front of the breakaway early in stage 19, the first Vuelta stage to end in the Basque Country in 33 years. Antón later went on to win the stage. The team set its sights to stage hunting in the second half of the race, hoping for success on difficult mountain stages, mentioning La Farrapona and Angliru as their targets.Bjorn Haake http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9587/After-two-Grand-Tours-with-stage-wins-Euskaltel-Euskadi-hopes-for-third-one-in-Vuelta-remainder.aspx After two Grand Tours with stage wins, Euskaltel-Euskadi hopes for third one in Vuelta remainder 2011-08-30 VeloNation VeloNation LLC 2011-12-03 2016-03-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203821/http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9587/After-two-Grand-Tours-with-stage-wins-Euskaltel-Euskadi-hopes-for-third-one-in-Vuelta-remainder.aspx live Nieve and Verdugo finished at the front of the race in stage 13, in a selective escape group, but finished 9th and 18th respectively in the 18-man sprint.Susan Westemeyer http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-13/results Albasini claims Vuelta stage in Ponferrada 2011-09-02 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20110924033803/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-13/results dead Despite targeting the day, the squad could finish no higher than ninth on La Farrapona in stage 14, as Nieve took that placing. Antón, for his part, finished that stage in the last group on the road, more than half an hour down on the winner.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-14/results Taaramae tackles La Farrapona 2011-09-03 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2011-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20110924033810/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-14/results live The team was extremely active in stage 15 on Angliru, to the point that one post-race analysis suggested they "left it all" on the climb. Antón crossed the line in sixth place, a minute and 21 seconds down on stage winner and eventual Vuelta champion Juan José Cobo. He said it was the first day at the Vuelta that he had enjoyed.Kyle Moore http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9664/Euskaltel-Euskadi-leaves-it-all-on-the-Angliru.aspx Euskaltel-Euskadi leaves it all on the Angliru 2011-09-04 VeloNation VeloNation LLC 2011-12-03 2012-09-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20120923180533/http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9664/Euskaltel-Euskadi-leaves-it-all-on-the-Angliru.aspx live Nieve also had a decent ride, coming 13th, 41 seconds back of Antón.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-15/results Cobo climbs into Vuelta lead on Angliru 2011-09-04 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2012-05-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20120516001358/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-15/results live Antón and Nieve finished together in stage 17 on Peña Cabarga, 27 seconds back of eventual Vuelta runner-up Chris Froome for fifth and sixth place. This moved Nieve into tenth place overall.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-17/results Froome outduels Cobo on Peña Cabarga 2011-09-07 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120908010743/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-17/results 2012-09-08 Stage 19 ended at Bilbao, capital of the province of Biscay in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. It was the first time the race had visited the Basque Country since the 1978 Vuelta a España, when Basque separatist protesters disrupted the race. Thus, it was clearly an important stage for Euskaltel-Euskadi, given their strong Basque identity. Its profile as a medium mountain stage suggesting a breakaway winner was also reasonably favorable to the team. The team indeed placed two riders into the day's four-man escape group – Antón and Verdugo. Antón won the climb at the Puerto de las Muñecas, which was the point when the race officially entered the Basque Country for the first time. Verdugo did far more work in the escape group than Antón, so Antón was left fresh to attack for victory 2 km on from the top of the Alto El Vivero near the finish. This gained him a time gap over breakaway mate Marzio Bruseghin that he held to the finish in Bilbao, winning the stage.Barry Ryan http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-19/results Anton wins stage on home turf as Vuelta returns to Basque country 2011-09-09 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 2012-05-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20120515153221/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-19/results live Antón said of his ride “This is an historical win for Euskaltel-Euskadi!” and that he had specifically targeted this stage after his poor form earlier in the race destroyed his overall chances.Bjorn Haake http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9730/Igor-Anton-This-is-an-historical-win-for-Euskaltel-Euskadi.aspx Igor Antón: "This is an historical win for Euskaltel-Euskadi!" 2011-09-09 VeloNation VeloNation LLC 2011-12-03 2016-01-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160106133005/http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9730/Igor-Anton-This-is-an-historical-win-for-Euskaltel-Euskadi.aspx live Nieve held the tenth place he took on Peña Cabarga to finish as the team's best-placed rider, and Antón finished in 33rd place. All nine riders completed the race.Les Clarke http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-21/results Sagan steals final stage from pure sprinters 2011-09-11 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2011-12-03 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130102215145/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-21/results 2013-01-02 Season victories Date Race Competition Rider Country Location February 20 Tour du Haut Var, Young rider classification UCI Europe TourGorka Izagirre ESP March 27 Volta a Catalunya, Sprints classification UCI World TourRubén Pérez cyclist ESP April 2 GP Miguel Indurain UCI Europe TourSamuel Sánchez ESP Estella-Lizarra April 7 Tour of the Basque Country, Stage 4 UCI World TourSamuel Sánchez ESP Eibar April 26 Tour de Romandie, Prologue UCI World TourJonathan Castroviejo ESP Martigny May 7 Vuelta a la Comunidad de Madrid, Stage 1 UCI Europe TourJonathan Castroviejo ESP Casa de Campo May 21 Giro d'Italia, Stage 14 UCI World TourIgor Antón ESP Monte Zoncolan May 22 Giro d'Italia, Stage 15 UCI World TourMikel Nieve ESP Gardeccia-Val di Fassa July 14 Tour de France, Stage 12 UCI World TourSamuel Sánchez ESP Luz Ardiden July 24 Tour de France, Mountains classification UCI World TourSamuel Sánchez ESP August 3 Vuelta a Burgos, Stage 1 UCI Europe TourSamuel Sánchez ESP San Juan del Monte August 7 Vuelta a Burgos, Stage 5 UCI Europe TourMikel Landa ESP Areniscas de los Pinares August 7 Vuelta a Burgos, Mountains classification UCI Europe TourMikel Landa ESP August 7 Vuelta a Burgos, Teams classification UCI Europe Tour The riders on the squad were Samuel Sánchez, Mikel Nieve, Juan José Oroz, Iñaki Isasi, Peio Bilbao, Mikel Landa, Igor Antón, and Mikel Astarlozahttp://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-a-burgos-start-list-1 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2 August 2011 31 March 2012 Vuelta a Burgos start list 4 November 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111104205007/http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-a-burgos-start-list-1 live "N" September 9 Vuelta a España, Stage 19 UCI World TourIgor Antón ESP Bilbao October 9 Tour of Beijing, Mountains classification UCI World TourIgor Antón ESP Footnotes N References 30em Category:2011 road cycling season by team Category:2011 in Spanish road cycling Category:Euskaltel–Euskadi