36-year old Xabier Zandio is fulfilled by enthusiasm ahead of career’s fourteenth consecutive season as a professional cyclist, and forth as a Sky Procycling rider. Considering his undisputable experience as a greatest value, the Spaniard felt secure about finding a spot in British formidable squad, what proved to be right when he had his contract renewed until 2015. Selflessly playing the supporting role to the Team Sky leaders, Zandio admits it’s a big honor to contribute to the team’s achievements and work for Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome or Riche Porte.

"It's a great motivator and an honor," he says.

Although at present Zandio is recognized mainly as a reliable domestique, throughout many years in professional cycling he managed to achieve some significant results, with 2008 Vuelta a Burgos overall victory being the biggest highlight.

Spanish cyclist reflects on his long career and admits, that riding for major pro squads from the beginning and quickly recognizing his place in team’s hierarchy were decisive factors to smoothly pass through all those years.

"From the first year I have improved a lot and I learned to prepare properly. I 've had better years and worse ones, but I was lucky to start on a very good team like Banesto, where everyone is expected to perform very certain kind of work, and where I found my role as a supporting one. And today things go smoothly because it’s always toughest in the beginning. "

"Ten years in the structure of today’s Movistar ( Banesto , Illes Balears, Caisse d' Epargne ) and next year will be the fourth in the Sky", Zandio enumerates.

Having no claims to play a leading role, despite his preliminary concerns, selfless Zandio easily found his place in Sky Procycling roster and feels privileged to be a part of the winning team.

" I'm in a great team. The first year is usually difficult while you have to adaptate yourself to the new circumstances, you have to wait to see how things turn out. Today I am delighted with all colleagues and staff. The situation is absolutely clear with Wiggins and Froome , the last two winners of the Tour de France, and Porte, being undisputable leaders, and working for them is a great motivator. It is wonderful to race side by side with cyclists of their kind, always performing on a highest possible level. I also had very good leaders and Banesto and Caisse d' Epargne , but having the biggest favorites to win the Tour is an honor. "

Thus, plans for the upcoming season are not a surprise, while the Spaniard intends to continue on supporting Sky Procycling leaders during their victorious campaigns. Zandio also reflects on the passing season and evaluates it as a rather successful one, while he had a chance to participate in several races won by the British team.

" My task will be to always support the leaders and contribute to the work as much as possible . The main objective is to perform on a satisfying level and remain regular, as always, or at least try to achieve it, because you always have ups and downs and following years are never equal. Regarding the last season I am very satisfied. It was a good year for me."

"I had only the Vuelta in the calendar but I was permitted to ride the Giro, and it was gratifying to be a part of a squad with great aspirations centered around Wiggins. At the end it didn’t turned out as we expected with him, but Rigoberto compensated it finishing second overall. The Vuelta left me with some feeling of disappointment, because as a team we expected more ," he adds .

Although Zandio believes, that Rigoberto Uran will be missed in the ranks of Sky Procycling after he decided to move to Omega Pharma – Quick Step, still he is very pleased to welcome Mikel Nieve in formidable British squad. The Spanish domestique presumes that former Euskaltel rider has a lot of selfless work to offer, while the transition between the Basque and British teams won’t be an effortless one because of their different characteristics.

" It's a shame, and so we discussed it in the last races together. We will miss him very much because he was the one creating special atmosphere in the team, " Zandio told on Uran’s departure.