Caja Rural rider Pello Bilbao has told the team’s website that 2014 was a big year for him, where he managed to take a big step up in his results and performance.

“2014 was very positive. I made the jump I expected and I had the continuity that I had missed for so many seasons. For me it has been a key year in which I found very comfortable in the team and I have held my form from the beginning to the end of the season. My first professional victory and several times I've gotten in the top ten have given me the confidence I needed.”

24-year-old Bilbao, who rode for three seasons at Euskaltel-Euskadi before signing for Caja Rural this season, took his first pro win at the Klasika Primavera, beating Gorka Izagirre in a two-up sprint.

He was eighth in GP la Marseillaise, eleventh on GC in the Tour d’Azerdbaijan with many top tens in the stages, seventh on GC in the Tour of Norway, third in the Circuit de Getxo, sixth on GC in the Vuelta a Burgos, fifth on stage 9 of the Vuelta a Espana and seventh on GC in the Tour du Gevaudan.

He desribed his first pro win as “very special” and “something that will remain in the memory”. It was “a great day, the perfect setting for my first win, feeling the warmth of the family and the home fans and enjoying and sharing it with all of them.”

He thinks the team has performed to expectations in 2014 and he said that on the whole, 2014 was a good season for Caja Rural.

“Personally, I think we've met expectations. We were able to achieve important victories and achievements while we have continued showing the feisty maverick team where we have character. Next year, we should continue in this direction.”

His objectives for 2015 are to repeat his 2014, keeping his from consistently form the start to the end of his season.

“My main objective, without going into great detail, will make the season more regular as possible and try to stay in a good shape all year to get going in scoring most wins possible. As we approach the start of the season, in the corresponding races I will already making specific targets. I still think it's more successful to focus on my short-term goals and focus on the work of the day, following the progression of last year and contributing the maximum to the team wherever necessary.”