Ion Izagirre has decided to stay in Mallorca after the Movistar team presentation, instead of making his season debut in Australia or Argentina. The Basque looks to the future with confidence and hopes to take another step forwards. In 2015 he will focus on the one-week stage races and he hopes make a quality leap that will at least allow him to contend for the podium.

It's been three months since the Ion Izagirre last pinned a number at Il Lombardia and the time has passed quickly for the talented Basque. “It seems like we finished the season yesterday but we are already underway again. I will focus on one-week stages races: Mallorca, Algarve, Paris-Nice, San Remo, Pais Vasco and Romandie. The Giro is not certain yet,” the Basque told Biciciclismo.

Izagirre goes into his sixth season as a professional, the second with the Movistar Team after he made his debut with Orbea and later joined Euskaltel-Euskadi. “I’m not so young anymore. I am about to turn 26. Every year it is important to improve some aspects, even if the gains are small, to become better on the climbs, in the time trial, have a better position, do better in grand tours. I plan to take another step forwards. I think it is important to improve, know yourself and your body better and see how far you can get. I think it is time to take responsibility in certain races,” he said.

Paris-Nice, Pais Vasco, Romandie ... Izaguirre is ambitious but at the moment he keeps his feet on the ground. In 2014, he was 2nd in Poland, 4th in Andalusia, 6th in the Tour of Britain and 8th in Romandie and most notably he won the Spanish road race championships. “These last few years I have done well in one-week stage races. They are races that I like, especially those with a time trial, like Paris-Nice. I will try to do those races and take the opportunities that I get, hoping to make another quality step forwards. In Paris-Nice, I want to have a good race pace and hoåe to be in contention because Algarve may come a bit too early,” he explained.

"The podium is the goal. You cannot say you want to win because first you have to make a top five or a podium. For me, it would be like a victory to be in podium contention. The team has told me to focus on the one-week stage races. They see me as a contender in those races. I also think I have a chance to be up there. However, we must be realistic. We need to go slowly and we'll see how far we get,” he said.

Last year he was named as a leader for the Giro d’Italia alongside Benat Intxausti, Jesus Herrada and Juan Jose Lobato. Now his participation is uncertain. “It depends on the management and the idea they have for me. At first, I was told to go to the Giro. The team will decide whether I will be part of the group for the Giro, the Tour or the Vuelta. Now I will focus on the early part of the season. If I end up doing the Giro, it will be nice. It was my first grand tour and I managed to win a stage. I have good memories and for me, it was special. The main objective of the team is clearly the Tour de France because Nairo has shown that he has the potential. We know we have two leaders with Alejandro and Nairo and when they are there, I will support them 100%,” he said.

After three years atEuskaltel-Euskadi, he and his brother Gorka joined Movistar in 2014. "I have met a new structure, new people and have gradually become accustomed to the philosophy. I think both Gorka and I have adapted well and this year we will try to take every opportunity to give our best,” he said.