Fraile to delay Euskaltel move

While either the teams, Euskaltel or Orbea, nor the rider himself have confirmed it, it appears to be set in stone that Omar Fraile will spend another season in the Continental ranks before teaming up with the orange squad in 2014.

22-year-old Fraile signed a contract with the Fundación Euskadi last year; a contract tying him to Orbea in 2012 and to Euskaltel the ensuing couple of years. The foundation's decision to part ways with Euskaltel has cast Fraile's future in doubt though, but it now appears that the parties have reached some sort of agreement.

Basque daily Deia claim that both Fraile and incoming General Manager at Euskaltel, Igor González de Galdeano, think another year in cycling's virtual third division will do his progress good. The rider, equally adept on the climbs and in the race against the clock, initially found top results hard to come by this year, but finished the season strongly with 11th in the national time trial champs and 16th overall in the Volta ao Portugal.

Photo: www.omarfraile.com