TEAM PROFILE Country: Spain Manager: Jos�-Miguel Echavarri Team leaders: Juan Miguel Mercado, Best Tours: Miguel Indurain - winner 1990-5 |
The Spanish team still undoubtedly pine for the Miguel Indurain era, when he rode to five Tour de France victories last decade. They have, unsurprisingly, struggled to fill the void left by 'Big Mig' and look unlikely to uncover it this time around.
That said, Francesco Mancebo has won plaudits in and outside the peloton with a series of strong, if unspectacular, rides in the last three Tours.
He finished ninth in 2000, 13th in 2001 and was 16 minutes off Lance Armstrong in seventh place overall last time around.
His time trialling needs room for improvement to push for a podium place, as does that of team-mate Juan Miguel Mercado, the other major hope in the general classification, who has so far failed to live up to his early promise.
There is no doubting the team have the ability in the mountains, albeit irregularly.
Unai Osa finished last year's race 18th in the GC, with Dariusz Baranowski marginally further back in 24th.
Stage wins in the mountains, however, look likely to be the Spanish outfit's best bid for glory.
Some strong results are imperative for the team as their sponsors are pulling the plug on their current deal at the end of the season.
MMIX
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