 | TEAM FACTFILE Country: Spain Manager: Jose-Miguel Echavarri Team leader: Francesco Mancebo, Alejandro Valverde Best Tours: Miguel Indurain - winner 1990-5 |
The acquisition of Alejandro Valverde looks to have been an astute one - the Spaniard has been singled out as the "next Lance Armstrong". He was third in the 2003 Tour of Spain and followed that up with fourth in last year's race.
He faces a tussle for the team's attentions, though, with countryman Francisco Mancebo.
Mancebo, who finished a spot ahead of Valverde in last year's Tour of Spain, was also fifth in the Tour de France.
In truth, though, the Spanish team still pine for the Miguel Indurain era, when he rode to five Tour de France victories.
They have struggled to fill the void left by 'Big Mig' but could finally be turning the corner in Mancebo, Valverde and a third rider, Vladimir Karpets.
A then 23-year-old Karpets finished 13th last year and won the white jersey for the best young rider in the race.
There is no doubting the team have the ability in the mountains through that trio.
MMIX
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