Vendée team released

Euskaltel will take part in Sunday's French Cup-race Tour de Vendée; a one-day event in and around Bbox Bouygues Telecom's homeland in northwestern France. Koldo Fernández took out this race two years ago, so he'll be back in the hope of grabbing just his second win of the season. He'll have ample support if the likely scenario of a sprint unfolds, as Javier Aramendía and Gorka Izagirre will both line up. Vuelta hero Nieve is slated in for a start, and so too is fellow Vuelta participants Oroz and Txurruka. Jonathan Castroviejo is also on the list, as is Beñat Intxausti. In light of his horror-show in Spain I'm not sure that will happen, but at least he's on the list sent to the organiser. I'm expecting the Euskaltel chiefs to change the team slightly, so some of these eight riders may be forced to sit out and some other riders may come in. Stay tuned.