Talented Spaniard Omar Fraile may not have had any outstanding results in 2014. However, he is still convinced that he has had a good year and has seen lots of improvements in his second year with Caja Rural.

And Omar Fraile? That was one of the recurring questions from the fans when information regarding the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team for 2015 started to come out. New signings were announced and riders extended their contracts but there was no news about Fraile. Many assumed that the talented youngster would remain with the team but the team hesitated and the number of free spots was constantly dwindling. In late October, the news about the renewal of his contract was finally confirmed.

"Was I nervous? Yes, in the end you always get nervous," Fraile tells Biciciclismo. Fraile had to go through a difficult time with hope and fear but that doesn't mens that he is not grateful to Caja Rural for the trust they have again shown him.

"Juanma [Hernandez, manager] has been very good to me even though we renewed the contract a bit late. He has given me another year on the team and it is important to continue, do as I have done in past years and notice improvement. I really appreciate it since I have been very happy at Caja Rural, very happy. It was one of my main options for this year and in fact I have not spoken to anyone else," he says.

The waiting for a new contract could be related Fraile's few results but the Spaniard is not too displeased with his performances.

"Overall I don't think it was a bad year. I have done well but the results have not been like they were in the previous year and in the end I have not had much impact. But I don't think it has been a bad season and next year I hope to improve and be at a good level in the biggest races. The feeling have been good and I think I have done a better job than last year. I notice that it has been a good year. I have made an improvement and I hope to take another step and shine in races that will give us visibility," he explains.

More anonymous but more complete. Fraile has been away from the spotlight after he did so excellently in his debut in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco in 2013.

"I think that I exceeded all expectations last year in Pais Vasco. This year I have achieved results in Trentino and Portugal and I have mostly been going well outside of Spain. This means that it has been less noticed. Even if you forget about the Pais Vasco, it has been a better season than the last one," he says without hesitation.

Fraile looks back at the races where he rode so well that he believes he is still on track, like the Giro del Trentino.

"I had a good level and to finish 8th in a mountaintop finish in the Giro [del Trentino] was important to me. There were other races in France and in Portugal where I was also in good shape. The only day I was bad was in Torre [the queen stage of the Volta ao Portugal]. But that day we could not do better. In fact we were well-prepared. But it was a difficult day for the team and the pace is so fast. You pay for every small mistake and we noticed that on the finale climb," he says.

Fraile now hopes to continue his progress in 2015.

"I've always liked one-weel race. We will see where I get to race but I am better at racing for a week. Any particular race? Pais Vasco is clear and there are others like Trentino, Algarve... I love those races."

And to underline his focus on improvement, there is another important aspect: Fraile has made progress in the time trials.

"This year I have thought about it already in the pre-season. I improved a bit and have achieved some results. It is also a discipline that I like and where I can do well."