Zubeldia: ‘RadioShack best place for me’

by VeloNews.com

Zubeldia in the 2009 Paris-Nice time trial. Photo: AFP

Zubeldia in the 2009 Paris-Nice time trial. Photo: AFP

Haimar Zubeldia says switching to RadioShack and leaving behind compatriot Alberto Contador at Astana is what’s best for him right now.

The veteran Basque all-rounder, who twice finished fifth in the Tour de France, was among 26 riders revealed Monday for Team RadioShack for next season.

Some commentators in Spain might question the move to follow sport director Johan Bruyneel and seven-time Tour champ Lance Armstrong to RadioShack, but Zubeldia says he has to watch out for his own interests right now.

“I am aware that my decision will not be welcomed by everyone,” Zubeldia told Europa Press. “I know that some are trying to put me in the middle of the rivalry between Alberto and Lance, but I have to look out for what’s best for me. I have always followed the orders of the team.”

After riding his entire career with Euskaltel-Euskadi, Zubeldia switched to Astana for 2009 only to find himself caught in the middle of a bitter feud between Contador and Armstrong.

Zubeldia tried to stay out of the line of fire and rode without taking sides, all at the expense of his own personal, GC ambitions at the Tour.

When Zubeldia made the switch to Astana, he was attracted by the chance to ride for Johan Bruyneel. Following the discord between Bruyneel and the Astana brass, Zubeldia remained committed to the Belgian director when he, Armstrong and others marched to create RadioShack.

“When I made the change from Euskaltel to Astana, I signed with the team of Johan Bruyneel,” he said. “Now this group has gone to a new team, and for that, my first option has always been RadioShack. Johan has always shown his confidence and interest in me.”

Now 32, Zubeldia was content to slip into the role of super-domestique and ride under the guidance of Bruyneel.

“I have always admired Bruyneel. He has always led important teams,” he said. “Now, after one year of working with him, I have seen that my vision of him has proven correct. He has a big capacity to direct and a big vision of the race, among other positive things.”

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  • His role will be to support Armstrong.
    He may get to the podium but Levi is better bet.
    But... being on a winning team and being a strong part of that win is plenty reason to line up behind Lance, Levi and Bryneel.
  • bobswire
    Testing to see if the comments section works. Oh BTW if I was Zubeldia I would have done the same thing. Smart move.
  • liamwilson123
    Radioshack is the way to go.
  • karhon
    Yah it's a good all round team. But i thougtht they made it a harder climbing Tour this year and eliminated the team time trial which is Radioshacks strength. If Armstrong can get a podium at the tour route they announced that would be truly incredible. Especially without the team trial.
  • Chase
    Astana is a ticking with Vinokourov on the team. Clearly Vino has the pull to get back on the team. How long before he exerts that pull to try race the big races? Which would only serve to prevent Astana from being invited if he's on the starting squad. I would have left the team too.
  • cozzetti
    I think this is great news and Team Radio Shack is going to be a lot stronger with Zubeldia style of racing.
  • Pete
    I still think that Contador will win next year with or without Zubeldia. Contador is still only 27 and both physically and experience-wise he will only keep improving year on year for the next few years. Armstong on the other hand.........he will make the podium in next year's tour, but even that is in doubt for me.
  • cozzetti
    Discus, you may be surprised on what happens next year with the Tour, I know
    that Lance is not going to hold back but he is going to be in the best shape
    he can in order to beat not only Contador but all of the Contenders in the
    Tour. Contador is just one Racer and Contador has to watch out for not only
    LA. Age is not a Factor in Bike Racing, Phil may think so and that is all
    he ever talks about is the Riders age, it gets to be sick after a time and
    just get so pissed off about it that I just about hit the TV with my fist,
    the guy is a nice guy but something is wrong with Phil.

    Bob.
  • KJ
    Lance didn't hold back this year and according to him he was in great shape (hitting the 2002 numbers he claimed). Lance cannot stop the hands of time . . no man can. Short of the cobbles taking AC out, Lance (and Radio Shack) will find out that while they took the core of Astana, they left behind the best stage racer in the world.

    As far as Zubeldia's move, it is practical. It has nothing to do with favor Lance over AC, it's about stability. He won't have the payment issues he had at Astana. He also won't have individual success either, but I suspect he's given up on that idea in exchange for a healthy salary (which is not a bad thing).
  • EnjoyCycling
    Lance already stated starting the new year that Team RadioShack was not built around him. He will be supporting another stud for the win. Guess who? He has another two, possibly three, on the team that he can assist to the top of the podium. Astana also has the studs (3 of them), but depth may be the issue. It really does take the TEAM to win the Tour.
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