Euskaltel all set for Vattenfall and Vuelta

Euskaltel will be looking for what would be an emotionally-charged win this weekend in both Spain and Germany.

The team will of course line up in the Vuelta a España on Saturday and the Vattenfall Cyclassics on Sunday knowing it'll be the last time they'll ever do so with the team to fold come December 31.

In the latter, a race the team has never won and never really come close since the heydays of Koldo Fernández, the team will send a versatile octet led by sprinter Juan José Lobato and the Izagirre brothers.

Accompanying them will be ever-reliable young duo Garikoitz Bravo and Miguel Mínguez, the improving Adrián Sáez, speedy veteran Rubén Pérez and the off-again, on-again enigma that is Romain Sicard.

The young Frenchman looked the part in the recently concluded Eneco Tour, finishing 12th overall, and will likely be looking to make it into a break to put his name out there for prospective future employers.

The team for the Vuelta has of course been known for quite some time, but here it is one final time for those of you who've missed out:

• 91 - Samuel Sánchez
• 92 - Igor Antón
• 93 - Jorge Azanza
• 94 - Mikel Landa
• 95 -  Egoi Martínez
• 96 - Mikel Nieve
• 97 - Juan José Oroz
• 98 - Pablo Urtasun
• 99 - Gorka Verdugo

The race kicks off with a team time trial from Vilanova de Arousa to Sanxenxo in Galicia totalling 27,8 clicks.

Hoping to limit their losses in a discipline which has always been the team's achilles heel, the team spent Thursday reconnoitering the route in detail, taking in 50 kilometres on board their aero machines.

On Friday, the team first decided to check out the hilltop finish of stage three to the Alto de Lobeira before going to the official team presentation ceremony.

Embarking on their last ever Grand Tour, the team is seemingly leaving nothing to chance.

Photo: BCPT