Bilbao joins Euskaltel

Euskaltel have suprisingly decided to sign Orbea youngster Peio Bilbao with immediate effect. The 21-year-old climber only joined Orbea from feeder-team Naturgas ahead of this season, but only a month into his stay with the Continental team has impressed sufficiently to earn a 'promotion'. The lanky Bilbao has showed considerable promise and talent already this season with his performances in Mallorca and Andalucía, and he's now been drafted in to fill the place of the injured Koldo Fernández (who's expected to be sidelined for close to three months). "They (Euskaltel) told me this morning. I didn't know anything about it, and I'm very surprised", a delighted Bilbao told www.biciciclismo.com. "I prepared well in the winter, and I've adapted to the level quite well." The Gernika native is likely to make his bow with his new team in either the GP Indurain or the Klasika Primavera in roughly a month's time.