García grateful for Euskaltel chance

Ricardo García is one of three Orbea riders that will make the jump to Euskaltel in 2012. Speaking after his stage-win in the season-ending Tour d'Empordá this weekend, the 23-year-old was grateful for the trust placed in him by a certain Miguel Madariaga.

"I would like to thank Miguel Madariaga for promoting three of us (Cabedo and Sáez will also join) this year", the Vitoria-native told Euskaltel's website. "Miguel has always been there, always trusted us, since we were children, and he's always helped us out. Now we have the chance to pay him back. We really should appreciate it all: not every Continental team have the technical and material support we have here at Orbea. I'll try not to let anyone down."

Saturday's win was his first as a pro and was just reward for a consistent season that has resulted in numerous honourable placings. Eighth at Castilla y León, fifth at the Volta ao Alentejo, sixth in the Trofeo Joaquim Agostinho and tenth in the Circuito de Getxo goes a long to prove that García is ready to make the step up to the WorldTour after three year's in the blue of Orbea.