Basque races saved

Spanish banking group Sabadell Guipuzcoano have stepped in to save the Vuelta al País Vasco and the Clásica San Sebastián for the next two years. The Basque bank will provide the organizers of the two events with the 150 000 euros they were lacking, and the races will thus go ahead as planned.

"We're pleased to inform you that Sabadell Guipuzcoano will sponsor the Gran Premio de la Vuelta al País Vasco in 2012", reads an official statement from Jaime Ugarte, president of the organizing committee. "Because of their support, the continuity of the races is assured, and the deal extends to 2013.

"We'll now send the necessary documentation to the teams and inform them of this new and positive situation. We've already talked to the UCI, and the news were met with great happiness".

The Vuelta al País Vasco is slated for April 2-7, while the Clásica will be held on August 14.