It's Astarloza-time

He's back, back for good. Mikel Astarloza will tomorrow make his comeback with Euskaltel in the Vuelta a Burgos reports the team's website. Astarloza was originally slated for the Tour of Poland, but for one reason or another he'll make a more low-key return in the Spanish stage-race. Ah, maybe that is the reason, it's more low-key. Anyway, he'll be at the start-line tomorrow like it or not, and he'll be part of a strong team including defending champ Samu Sánchez, Antón, Nieve, Oroz, Landa, Isasi and Bilbao. On paper that's one hell of a team. Not only will Samu aim to retain his crown, plucky climbers Landa and Bilbao seem to be approaching top form as well. Antón and Nieve's objectives are obviously further down the road so they won't be in Burgos for results, but still they're not nobodies, they're Antón and Nieve, two of the best climbers out there. Oroz and Isasi are as you all know strong all-rounders capable of getting results themselves on their day, so all in all a strong team indeed.

Turning the focus back to Astarloza again, the team also confirmed he's signed a deal for the 2012 season. The San Sebastián resident's racing-schedule for the remainder of this season hasn't been disclosed as of yet, but Igor González de Galdeano didn't completely rule out the chance of a Vuelta appearance for the former Ag2R rider when speaking to www.biciciclismo.com. "After two years out of competition that would probably be over-doing it a little", he told the always up-to-date website. "We'll see (how his comeback goes). He's got an alternative calendar."