The Pelota Twitterati: who to follow

Twitter is changing the world of sport. In years gone by, fans, writers and participants alike relied on the traditional printed and broadcast media for both rumour and fact, but the micro blogging tool has brought about a revolution in the way information, both verified and otherwise is disseminated. Twitter is often the first place to publish results, the first place one hears of a transfer, a team selection or a controversy. It is also an enlightening tool for the manner in which it allows users to get under the skin of a sport; the news or a race report can tell us what happened in, say, an epic mountain stage of the Tour de France, but it cannot collate, within an hour of the finish, the dozens of emotional, elated or despondent testimonies of the riders, or penetrate the micro dramas which go unnoticed at the back of the bunch, away from the spotlight of the conventional, and victor orientated, press. It also allows fans and insiders alike to interact with the protagonists, to ask questions, and send congratulations or condolences, as the circumstances dictate. Never has the world of sport been so open, so accessible.

Pelota has perhaps, in comparison with some sports, been slow to latch onto the benefits of Twitter, but is becoming an ever bigger presence. Four-time Pairs Champion Fernando Goñi was the pioneer amongst players in the use of the medium, and he has been followed by several colleagues. Asegarce now provides an official presence, and the media is becoming ever more active. Below is a list of who to follow, for everything pelota. I may very well have missed something or someone; let me know if you notice a major omission!

Players

Fernando Goñi (@fgoni; you can also follow the feed for his hotel, @QuintoReal)

Pablo Berasaluze (@pberasaluze8)

David Merino (@davidmerino21)

Gorka Esteban (@gorka_ezka)

Cecilio Valgañon (@cevalgan)

Alexis Apraiz (@Apraiz2)

Aitor Zubieta (@AitorZubieta; this is a secure account to which you have to send a follow request)

Empresas

Asergarce (@asegarcepelota)

Pelota-specific media

Carlos Zuluaga (@czuluaga; manista.com)