Equipo Euskadi embark on last journey

Equipo Euskadi will most likely write the final chapter of a what's been a long and successful story in China the coming weeks.

The team's economic woes have been known for quite some time, and the likelihood of a new sponsor coming onboard Fernando Alonso-style is diminishing by the hour.

The team heads appear to have accepted defeat in the hunt for a new backer, and team head and alma mater Miguel Madariaga admitted the team's upcoming participation in the Tours of China might very well turn out to be their final participation in a bike race ever.

"We're eager to start the race", he told the team's website. "We're sure we'll put on a good performance in our last race of the year, a race that might also be the last race in our history".

The nine-day race in Asia commences on Friday with a 5,8km prologue, and Arberas has naturally decided to field six of his strongest charges.

Unai Iparraguirre, Mikel Aristi, Jon Larrinaga, Aritz Bagües, Mikel Bizkarra and Illart Zuazubiskar will lead the team in its first Asian adventure.

Photo: Pedalierweb