Euskaltel and Orbea set for Madrid

The Vuelta a la Communidad de Madrid will go ahead this weekend in the shadow of the mighty Giro d'Italia, and both Euskaltel and Orbea will field teams. The 2.1-ranked two-day event starts out with a 7,8km ITT on day one, while a 182,4km hilly ride from Colmenar Viejo to Alto de la Morcuera on Sunday will decide the overall winner.

Due to obligations in Italy, Euskaltel will only send six riders, the team's website reports today. In-form Pablo Urtasun and Mikel Landa, who'll both go into the race as favourites, will have the support of Ricardo García, Alán Pérez, Rubén Pérez and Peio Bilbao.

Orbea is likely to field a full eight-man team. According to the race's own website, the following will be present: Mikel Bizkarra, Andoni Blaquez, Aritz Etxebarria, Aritz Bagües, Omar Fraile, Xabier Zabalo Igor Merino and Jon Aberasturi. This has yet to be confirmed by the team, mind you.

Last year, Jonathan Castroviejo gave Euskaltel a win in the opening-day crono, and the Getxo-native will be back this year in the colours of Movistar.