"It takes some pressure off." Jon Odriozola has just signed an agreement with the Basque Government that will see Euskadi Basque Country become the first name of his Murias Taldea team in 2016 and the team wear a new hreen jersey.

The Euskadi Basque Country-Murias Taldea will continue in the Continental category but have laid the foundation for a move up to Pro Continental level in 2017 and now seek institutional support to bring a Basque team back to the Tour de France " as soon as possible" after the demise of Euskaltel-Euskadi. And the team dreams of contesting the Tour of the Basque Country next year.

Odriozola tells BiciCiclismo that he is excited to carry the Euskadi name on the jersey which is more than just sumbolic. "It's very, very important, a big step for the future. If it had come earlier, we could have advanced more, but this is more important than being Pro Continental next year. The truth is that we are out of time and it is better to do things quietly and always take small steps forward," he explains. Above all, it is "an endorsement of the the creation of a new Basque team."

According to Odriozola, the sponsorship means "that there will be a Basque team that can fill the void left by the Euskaltel-Euskadi. The best reflection is to take the name Euskadi and show it proudly in every race." He now look to the immediate future with confidence. "Our goal is to return to the best races and therefore return to the Tour with humility and taking the steps from below." The key is to move up to Pro Continental level in 2017 which gives access to the WorldTour invitations. To be promoted by the Basque Government gives the team "seriousness and personality to continue and for businesses and society to realize who we are and that we can work together." In this regard, he hopes that some companies "are ready" to take the step to join the Basque team in the coming months.

However, the meetings are not over for Odriozola. "In two weeks, we are going to Paris to present the project for the future to the Tour organizers, to explain that our intention is to get back to the Tour slowly and with a look at the future. They also need us. And Euskadi will return to the Tour as soon as possible, knowing that we have to make a very important foundation work," he says. He now hopes that ASO will open the doors for other races like Critérium International and Paris-Tours.

In his heart, he has the idea of ​​being present at the Tour of the Basque Country in 2016, even though the regulations prevent a continental team from doing a WorldTour race. "We will try to talk to the UCI about doing the Tour of the Basque Country next year, knowing that we have Euskadi onbard and where we are going. We will try to make the necessary arrangements by explaining who we are and where we want to go but it will be difficult," he says.

The roster "is finalized". The confirmed riders are 13: Aritz Bagüés, Ander Barrenetxea, Mikel Bizkarra, Garikoitz Bravo, Imanol Estevez, Adrian Gonzalez, Jon Ander Insausti, Eneko Lizarralde and Beñat Txoperena who will stay in the team, in addition to new signings Aitor Gonzalez (1990, Ampo), Mikel Iturria (1992, Fundacion Euskadi-EDP), Alex Aranburu (1995, Café Baqué-Campos) and Gotzon Udondo (1993, Café Baqué-Campos).