Mayo on Saunier Duval Prodir move

By Antonio J. Salmerón

Iban Mayo explained the reasons why he signed with Saunier Duval Prodir until 2008 during a press conference on Monday to confirm the announcement. "Sabino Angoitia has been a big influence in my personal and professional life, because he is the person who knows me best," explained Mayo. Speaking of the motivation necessity, new objectives and different stimulations Mayo confessed: "I consider that, in these two last years, I have not obtained the sport expectations that I had set in previous years."

On the other hand, he also wanted to make clear that he did not refuse to sign the Euskaltel-Euskadi's 'ethical code': "I have signed previously, and I will always sign the ethical codes imposed by the UCI and the ProTour teams". While Mayo conveyed his gratefulness to Saunier Duval Prodir's "great economic effort," he admitted that Euskaltel-Euskadi had offered an even greater financial incentive to stay with the team. Facing next season, the Spaniard rider did not want to advance his calendar. "In the last years, I wanted to participate in the Giro," he concluded.