Presentation of the Baqué Cycling Time in Landako Gunea de Durango /
“We have seen that we can compete against the three rival teams”, he assures before the start of the season
Baqué Cycling Time has presented its new roster of riders for its 45th season with the hope of seeing the youngest progress and that the veterans of the club get into the fight. “I have high hopes and I think it is a very exciting year. We have started with bad luck due to falls and injuries, but I want to see the team progress, “says Ander Altuna, the new sports director of the coffee team.
The coffee squad has a long list of renowned riders who have worn the club’s jersey. Julián and Rubén Gorospe, Marino Lejarreta, Igor Astarloa -world champion-, Iban Mayo, David Etxebarria and David López, among others. Currently, several professionals who were trained in their ranks continue to compete. Among them, stand out Alex Aranburu (Movistar Team) and Javier Romo (Astana), Peio Goikoetxea, Álvaro Trueba, among others.
Together with the members of the sports management, the 16 runners who will wear the colors of the Baqué Cycling Team have posed in Durango. “It is a fairly young team, with many novelties, we have 6 runners from the first year under 23”, explains Altuna. When asked about the rivals, the sports director has no doubts. “We have three rival teams that are affiliated with professionals -Lizarte, Caja Rural and Laboral Kutxa-, but in these first races we have seen that we can be competing with them,” he says.
One of the teams to beat this season will be the Lizarte. “We have seen that they are one point above us, but when we have the whole team recovered we can be in the fight without any problem,” says Altuna. Despite being a young team, the Durangarras do not want to give up the fight. “The goal is always to win, but for us the most important thing is to make ourselves seen and help them in their training, and from May or June to be able to be closer to fighting in the races,” he adds.
seven additions
In the coffee squad Alex Díaz from Gipuzkoa repeats; Biscayans Beñat Onaindia, Egoitz Aranceta, Lander Lartitegi, Mikel Agirrebeitia and Unai Zoilo; the Balearic Joan Albert Riera; and the Valencians Borja Romero and Gorka Ortega. These nine cyclists have been joined by another seven. They are the Catalans Axier Casado and Marcel Pallares; Alava’s Endika Balza de Vallejo and Galder Bengoechea; and the Gipuzkoans Aimar Erostarbe, Kimetz Etxabe and Unax Iztueta. The intentions of the team with the players who are making their debut in the sub’23 category is one of enthusiasm and patience. “We want the first-years to progress and that the third and fourth years are already in the fight to try to win a race,” Altuna details.
Under the baton of manager Javier García and general manager Diego Pérez are Ander Altuna, Marino Lejarreta and Rubén Gorospe. In addition, as assistants to the team will be Arturo Pérez and Iker Ibinarriaga. Asier Somocurcio will act as a masseur and David Gutiérrez as a mechanic.
