Trek Factory Racing has a good mix of youth and experience. One of the veterans of the team is Haimar Zubeldia who is a guarantee of sporting results and a good mentor for the youngsters.

Going into his 18th season as a professional, the Basque is still performing at the highest level which was evidenced by his 8th place in the Tour de France, his fifth top 10 result in the biggest race in the world.

The former Euskaltel, Astana and Radioshack rider talke to Ciclismo Internactional about his future and made it clear that is not yet think about retirement. Furthermore, he still dreams about winning races.

"I always say that I am not a rider with many wins. More would be nice. But it is not all about victories. As a veteran, part of my job is to try to teach the young riders."

At 37 years of age, Zubeldia is clear about the reasons for his desire to continue.

"In the end, the most important thing is that I like it," he said. "Cycling is part of my life, it has balways een and every year I have the motivation to keep my desire alive.

"When I look for new motivation, I am thinking of small stimuli. For example, this is a contract year for me. It is a challenge for me to prove that I deserve a renewal. It will not be easy and it motivates me to try to make things better."

However, his body has to respond to his desires and he knows the secrets of staying fit.

"I will not say that I am as strong as I was when I was 28 years old but the experience brings other advantages. I know my body and its limitations. With that, I try to stay competitive at 37 years of age."

Zubeldia clearly has good legs but Father Time will eventually catch up with everyone. The Basque knows that his time is coming to ane end.

"I know that I don't have many years left. For now I have signed for one more year, then we'll see. What I know is that I will fully enjoy that year," he said before adding. "I will make a decision at the last moment. It would be hard to ride a full year knowing that I will retire."

As one of the historical symbols of Euskaltel, Zubeldia is asked to review the new Basque cycling team set up by Jon Odriozola .

"It is a great joy. We need more projects like this. I see young people who their illusion because they have no references. Hopefully, more ideas will be created and more sponsors will support these ideas."

If anything has characterized Zubeldía's career, it is his riding style. He is almost hidden, very unspectacular but very efficient. Not surprisingly he achieved another top 10 in a grand tour, his 5th in the Tour. He reveals his simple secret.

"Most fo all I am a strong rider. For results in the Tour you need to have those skills. Also with the time, you know the race, and that's very important."

Both Zubeldia as Frank Schleck didn't show much before the Tour.

"The aim was to have a rider in the top 10. I also think we did the preparation right and arrived quite fresh for the final week. That is also thanks to Josu Larrazabal who is our coach at Trek."

With his experience, Zubeldia knows how to prepare and in what areas he needs to improve.

"I always try to improve what you think is necessary. This year I don't think I will give much importance to the time trial training and will focus more on climbing since there is not much time trialling and many mountain stages in the Tour."

Obviously, La Grande Boucle is an important event on his schedule.

"I know my schedule is not going to change much compared to 2014," he said. I will start in Dubai or Majorca and then do Vuelta a Andalucía, Volta a Catalunya and Pais Vasco, take a break and resume racing with the Tour of California, Dauphine and the Tour de France."

Of course he wants to continue his love story with the Tour but first he will try to shine in his home country.

"One of the objectives is to be at a good level in the first block that finishes with Pais Vasco. Then, like every year, I want to do a good Tour."

As one of the leaders of Trek, Zubeldía can not avoid talking about Andy Schleck's retirement.

"It's a shame. During the years we have built a very close relationship. In fact, I not felt that close to many leaders. Andy is a very open guy and cycling has lost a very big talent."

One of Zubeldia's goals is to guide the young riders which he did in least year's Tour de San Luis where he helped Julian Arredondo win two stages.

"It's part of my job. I think he [Arredondo] has done a great year, more or less what was expected of him. I have helped him settle into the WorldTour. Now he is more confident and I am sure we will see a stronger rider in 2015."