What makes Euskatel-Euskadi such a popular team?

When watching one of the stages on this years La Vuelta the
commentator mentioned that the Euskatel team was one of the most
popular ones with supporters everywhere, if he (the commentator) were
correct, why is it so?
mike

I'd also add that they're practically a Basque National team, if the
region was separate from Spain. They're also very scrappy, tough riders
and EE has turned out quite a number of great talents. I think some of
their popularity rubs off from the basque fans adoration.

Brenton James said:

I would say that it is because they are a Basque team, but this years Vuelta
doesn't go through any Basque region, does it?

"mike anderson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

When watching one of the stages on this years La Vuelta the
commentator mentioned that the Euskatel team was one of the most
popular ones with supporters everywhere, if he (the commentator) were
correct, why is it so?
mike

I think it has to do with the fact that the team was made up (in part) by
popular subscription. So there was a strong indentification between the
fans-sponsors and the team.

Outside of the Basque region they got great exposure during the TdF 2002 and
2003 when they seem to be the only ones that were operating outside the
strict order imposed by the USPostal.

FYI "Some background":

The original idea was to give the opportunity to young emerging cylcist form
the basque region to become professional in a more favourable environment
than the traditional comercial team and then integrate them into comercial
teams at more advantageous positions (matured). This worked very well for
people like the Glz. de Galdeano brothers or Beloki. They also managed to
several T Avenir winners...

With time the management became much more ambitious and they tried to get
more money from commercail sponsors. Now that they operate like a comercial
team, the grass root economical support has gone done both in absolute an
relative terms. Additionally recent problems between management and the
cyclist and between some of the cyclsit in the team has tarnished their
image.

They are not popular everywhere:

Because some of the EE fans support it because they think this advances a
certain political agenda (basque independentism) many people in Spain sees
this team as a threat. Therefore there is a lot of bad-blood among many
spanish fans and the spanish media about this team and their supporters.

As an example you should read how the spanish media translated L.Armstrong
words about the EE fans at the end of the (la Mongie?) .

"Richard Adams" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'd also add that they're practically a Basque National team, if the
region was separate from Spain. They're also very scrappy, tough riders
and EE has turned out quite a number of great talents. I think some of
their popularity rubs off from the basque fans adoration.

Brenton James said:

I would say that it is because they are a Basque team, but this years
Vuelta
doesn't go through any Basque region, does it?

"mike anderson" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

When watching one of the stages on this years La Vuelta the
commentator mentioned that the Euskatel team was one of the most
popular ones with supporters everywhere, if he (the commentator) were
correct, why is it so?
mike

Sorry about all the spelling mistakes. I have not managed to get a spelling
checker for Outlook-Express yet.

"alex" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I think it has to do with the fact that the team was made up (in part) by
popular subscription. So there was a strong indentification between the
fans-sponsors and the team.

Outside of the Basque region they got great exposure during the TdF 2002
and 2003 when they seem to be the only ones that were operating outside
the strict order imposed by the USPostal.

FYI "Some background":

The original idea was to give the opportunity to young emerging cylcist
form the basque region to become professional in a more favourable
environment than the traditional comercial team and then integrate them
into comercial teams at more advantageous positions (matured). This
worked very well for people like the Glz. de Galdeano brothers or Beloki.
They also managed to several T Avenir winners...

With time the management became much more ambitious and they tried to get
more money from commercail sponsors. Now that they operate like a
comercial team, the grass root economical support has gone done both in
absolute an relative terms. Additionally recent problems between
management and the cyclist and between some of the cyclsit in the team has
tarnished their image.

They are not popular everywhere:

Because some of the EE fans support it because they think this advances a
certain political agenda (basque independentism) many people in Spain sees
this team as a threat. Therefore there is a lot of bad-blood among many
spanish fans and the spanish media about this team and their supporters.

As an example you should read how the spanish media translated L.Armstrong
words about the EE fans at the end of the (la Mongie?) .

"Richard Adams" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'd also add that they're practically a Basque National team, if the
region was separate from Spain. They're also very scrappy, tough riders
and EE has turned out quite a number of great talents. I think some of
their popularity rubs off from the basque fans adoration.

Brenton James said:

I would say that it is because they are a Basque team, but this years
Vuelta
doesn't go through any Basque region, does it?

"mike anderson" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message
news:[email hidden]...

>When watching one of the stages on this years La Vuelta the
>commentator mentioned that the Euskatel team was one of the most
>popular ones with supporters everywhere, if he (the commentator) were
>correct, why is it so?
>mike

Quoted message said:

"mike anderson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

When watching one of the stages on this years La Vuelta the
commentator mentioned that the Euskatel team was one of the most
popular ones with supporters everywhere, if he (the commentator) were
correct, why is it so?
mike

"Brenton James" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I would say that it is because they are a Basque team, but this years Vuelta
doesn't go through any Basque region, does it?

Are you likely to find loads of Dutch supporters at all the pave
classics, not just the ones that go through Holland?

Also, they tend to have some underdog status, which is always good for
support, and often tend to be doing interesting stuff in the
mountains.

Peter

"mike anderson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

When watching one of the stages on this years La Vuelta the
commentator mentioned that the Euskatel team was one of the most
popular ones with supporters everywhere, if he (the commentator) were
correct, why is it so?

EVERYONE loves an underdog that wins spectacularly and E-E has made a habit
of that. Not to mention they have great tastes in Jerseys.

First, I am sorry for posting twice.

The commentator sure made it sound like if they were popular in many
places, not only in the Basque region or Spain.

I guess most people likes an underdog and since, as alex mentioned,
they help young talanted drivers it is absolutely understandable that
they will have fans even outside their own region and/or country.

Thank you kindly guys!
mike

Quoth Peter Allen ...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"mike anderson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

When watching one of the stages on this years La Vuelta the
commentator mentioned that the Euskatel team was one of the most
popular ones with supporters everywhere, if he (the commentator) were
correct, why is it so?
mike

"Brenton James" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I would say that it is because they are a Basque team, but this years Vuelta
doesn't go through any Basque region, does it?

Are you likely to find loads of Dutch supporters at all the pave
classics, not just the ones that go through Holland?

Also, they tend to have some underdog status, which is always good for
support, and often tend to be doing interesting stuff in the
mountains.

Peter

Peter Allen said:

"Brenton James" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I would say that it is because they are a Basque team, but this years
Vuelta doesn't go through any Basque region, does it?

Are you likely to find loads of Dutch supporters at all the pave
classics, not just the ones that go through Holland?

It's not the same. Pays Basque, contrary to Les Pays-Bas, is not an
independent country but a region of Spain and France that (on majority?)
likes to have independence. That sparks extra special support for a) the
only pro team from the area, that b) carries their name and c) only
hires Basque riders. There's no Dutch equivalent. Both are orange-clad
though (per the corporate colour of Euskaltel vs. the House of Orange
that rules the Kingdom of The Netherlands).

Ewoud Dronkert said:

Peter Allen said:

"Brenton James" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I would say that it is because they are a Basque team, but this years
Vuelta doesn't go through any Basque region, does it?

Are you likely to find loads of Dutch supporters at all the pave
classics, not just the ones that go through Holland?

It's not the same. Pays Basque, contrary to Les Pays-Bas, is not an
independent country but a region of Spain and France that (on majority?)
likes to have independence. That sparks extra special support for a) the
only pro team from the area, that b) carries their name and c) only
hires Basque riders. There's no Dutch equivalent. Both are orange-clad
though (per the corporate colour of Euskaltel vs. the House of Orange
that rules the Kingdom of The Netherlands).

I always wondered where they found a couple of dozen top quality riders in
such a relatively small geographic area 🙂

http://www.fundacioneuskadi.com/asp/Principal_C.asp

--
le Vent a Dos, Davey Crockett
Six Day Site: http://sixday.741.com/

mike anderson <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

When watching one of the stages on this years La Vuelta the
commentator mentioned that the Euskatel team was one of the most
popular ones with supporters everywhere, if he (the commentator) were
correct, why is it so?
mike

I have to ask, how are you watching the Vuelta? I guess you're not in the US.

Tom

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It's not the same. Pays Basque, contrary to Les Pays-Bas, is not an
independent country but a region of Spain and France that (on majority?)
likes to have independence.

actually i think it's not really a majority that wants full
independence.

That sparks extra special support for a) the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

only pro team from the area, that b) carries their name and c) only
hires Basque riders.

if truth be told, they don't only hire basque riders. they also employ
riders who have raced with a basque team previously,such as when they
amateurs, i.e. samuel sanchez.

There's no Dutch equivalent. Both are orange-clad

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

though (per the corporate colour of Euskaltel vs. the House of Orange
that rules the Kingdom of The Netherlands).

I always wondered where they found a couple of dozen top quality riders in
such a relatively small geographic area 🙂

http://www.fundacioneuskadi.com/asp/Principal_C.asp

(otto) said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It's not the same. Pays Basque, contrary to Les Pays-Bas, is not an
independent country but a region of Spain and France that (on majority?)
likes to have independence.

actually i think it's not really a majority that wants full
independence.

That sparks extra special support for a) the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

only pro team from the area, that b) carries their name and c) only
hires Basque riders.

if truth be told, they don't only hire basque riders. they also employ
riders who have raced with a basque team previously,such as when they
amateurs, i.e. samuel sanchez.

Otto,

I've heard Basque women are hott! Is that true?

JT

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otto said:

Quoted message said:

only hires Basque riders.

if truth be told, they don't only hire basque riders. they also employ
riders who have raced with a basque team previously

I know, I thought about rephrasing but then thought I could wriggle my
way out like this: I didn't say *native* Basque riders...

I'll add that it is a requirement not just a team choice.
In order to be part of the team, one must either be Basque originally or have
ridden at a minimum of 2 years as an amateur for a Basque cycling team.
The major sponsor for the team is the Basque Region itself (on the Spanish
side).
Many of the riders live within a few miles of one another.

- Chris -
http://www.customgetaways.com
Sport Vacations
(Multisport, Cycling, Marathons, etc...)

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ewoud Dronkert said:

Peter Allen said:

"Brenton James" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...
> I would say that it is because they are a Basque team, but this years
> Vuelta doesn't go through any Basque region, does it?

Are you likely to find loads of Dutch supporters at all the pave
classics, not just the ones that go through Holland?

It's not the same. Pays Basque, contrary to Les Pays-Bas, is not an
independent country but a region of Spain and France that (on majority?)
likes to have independence. That sparks extra special support for a) the
only pro team from the area, that b) carries their name and c) only
hires Basque riders. There's no Dutch equivalent. Both are orange-clad
though (per the corporate colour of Euskaltel vs. the House of Orange
that rules the Kingdom of The Netherlands).

I always wondered where they found a couple of dozen top quality riders in
such a relatively small geographic area 🙂

I read (i think in the german magazine Tour) that at some point 2 years ago
40% of the pro-cyclists in Spain originated in the basque region (that would
include Euskadi and Navarre - about 7% of the population).

The reason is that the sport is simply much more popular in the basque
country than in any other region of Spain. In fact, Spain is a bit of an
anomaly because it has a GT without having a comparable cycling tradition to
the other greats like Italy, Belgium, France and the Netherlands.

Fortunately the number of professionals that Spain has produced is
completely disproportionate to the popular appreciation for the sport, that
in 70% of the country is almost NIL (just watch the Vuelta stages in TVE to
see there are only "four cats" in the streets supporting the cyclists live).
Even if Spain is a great country to practice cycling (from the point of view
of the weather, the landscape and general cultural interest) you find very
few people using bicycles on any regular basis. It is pro or nothing! (but
this also happens in many, many parts of France).

The basque region is the only one that can match in some respects some of
the strong european regions in terms of popular support for the sport and in
terms of amateur teams and race organization. And therefore there can also
match them later in terms of the quality of the cyclists she produces

Also (for Ewoud) , currently Euskaltel is not the only Basque team. Baque'
is also a basque team . However, they do not have an specific policy towards
basque cyclists (and maybe they will never be sa popular as EE).

One problems is that some of the largest basque companies (that are also
among the largest in Spain such as BBVA, Iberdrola or Eroski) have not
jumped to fully support local teams, possibly for fear of being too
strongly associated with the region. Euskatel could do it because it is a
purely regional brand and they do not have ambitions to expand in Spain. For
example I have heard that people like Joanne Somarriba does not get any
sponsors in Spain becuse she is too "basque" (she would wave the basque flag
after her stage wins in the TdF).

www.lavuelta.tv
should bring the final live in WinMP, haven't checked yet

John Forrest Tomlinson <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<7

Quoted message said:

Otto,

I've heard Basque women are hott! Is that true?

JT

JT

Almost as hot as chinese women my man!

O

Quoth Thomas Reynolds ...

Quoted message said:

mike anderson <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

When watching one of the stages on this years La Vuelta the
commentator mentioned that the Euskatel team was one of the most
popular ones with supporters everywhere, if he (the commentator) were
correct, why is it so?
mike

I have to ask, how are you watching the Vuelta? I guess you're not in the US.

Tom

No problem, Tom. You are correct, I am from Sweden and I watching it
on the Eurosport channel <http://www.eurosport.com>. They have a
decent cycling coverage.

mike