RadioShack recruit Haimar Zubeldia says he’s looking forward to his debut with the new American team, and has opted for a later start this year after a long 2009 season. “Last year I finished a little tired at the Vuelta a Espana and have decided to delay my start a bit this year.” The Basque rider is set to begin his year with the Tour of Murcia at the beginning of March.
On the way to his expected start with the RadioShack Tour de France team, Zubeldia will also take part in the Volta a Catalunya, the Tour of the Basque Country, the Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallone, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, the Tour of Romandie and the Dauphiné Liberé.
2010 will be Zubeldia’s thirteenth season as a professional rider, which until he began riding for Johan Bruyneel on Astana in 2008, was spent with the Euskaltel – Euskadi team. Despite his long career, Zubeldia said he is still fresh mentally and ready to get to work.
“The Tour will be the biggest race of the season for me and the team. We will fight for victory, but it will be very difficult to unseat last year’s winner Alberto [Contador]. Today he is the best rider in the world for the Grand Tours,” he explained.
He said he was happy to follow Bruyneel and Lance Armstrong over to RadioShack. “When Johan told me on the Tour that he wanted me to be on the team for the next few years, I saw him as the best option for me. The way the team works has convinced me. I think I’ve adapted very well to their philosophy and the performances I’ve had have been good,” he explained.
Having twice finished in fifth place overall at the Tour de France, the Basque climber will likely play a vital role when it comes to wearing down the opposition in July. With Contador the clear favorite when compared directly with the opposition, the RadioShack team will depend heavily on Bruyneel’s tactical savvy to secure a eighth Tour victory for Lance Armstrong.