From Cyclingnews....
Mayo returns to racing in Murcia
Euskaltel-Euskadi's Iban Mayo will return to racing tomorrow when he lines up for the first stage of the Vuelta a Murcia (March 1-5), according to Europa Press. The team hopes to improve its early-season campaign which has already seen it take the team classification at the Vuelta a la Comunidad Valenciana and Iñaki Flores take overall fourth place in the Vuelta Andalucía.
Mayo will be joined in Murcia by Antton Luengo, Beñat Albizuri, Unai Uribarri, Rubén Pérez, Joseba Zubeldia, Igor Antón and Aketza Peña.
The five-stage Vuelta a Murcia is expected to be taxing, with two stages that should be crucial to the overall result. Stage 3's 21.3km time trial in Jumilla will be an essential test for any rider with general classification aspirations, and the following day's 148.6 trip from Caravaca de la Cruz to Collado Bermejo includes three category one climbs and finishes at 1150m.
Mayo and Euskaltel won't have things their own way. Murcia will also be an early-season outing for several other noted talents, including Discovery Channel's Manuel Beltran; Caissed'Epargne's Alejandro Valverde; Lampre-Fondital's Damiano Cunego; Liberty Seguros' Alexandre Vinokourov; and Rabobank's Denis Menchov and Michael Rasmussen.
From Barnstorm...
I am not sure whether we should care or not. Mayo seems to have peaked at the 2004 Dauphine and then disappeared in a frenzy of excuses for pathetic performances. I have read the theory here that his team was warned about doping, he cleaned up, and he sucks as a clean rider. Interesting theory. I have also heard the theory that he is a prima donna and really soft. Something doesn't go his way, he throws a hissy fit and quits. I can see that too. It's just sad after all of the hype and the few really amazing performances he showed us in 2003 and early 2004. Will we see him as a competitive rider again?????
Mayo returns to racing in Murcia
Euskaltel-Euskadi's Iban Mayo will return to racing tomorrow when he lines up for the first stage of the Vuelta a Murcia (March 1-5), according to Europa Press. The team hopes to improve its early-season campaign which has already seen it take the team classification at the Vuelta a la Comunidad Valenciana and Iñaki Flores take overall fourth place in the Vuelta Andalucía.
Mayo will be joined in Murcia by Antton Luengo, Beñat Albizuri, Unai Uribarri, Rubén Pérez, Joseba Zubeldia, Igor Antón and Aketza Peña.
The five-stage Vuelta a Murcia is expected to be taxing, with two stages that should be crucial to the overall result. Stage 3's 21.3km time trial in Jumilla will be an essential test for any rider with general classification aspirations, and the following day's 148.6 trip from Caravaca de la Cruz to Collado Bermejo includes three category one climbs and finishes at 1150m.
Mayo and Euskaltel won't have things their own way. Murcia will also be an early-season outing for several other noted talents, including Discovery Channel's Manuel Beltran; Caissed'Epargne's Alejandro Valverde; Lampre-Fondital's Damiano Cunego; Liberty Seguros' Alexandre Vinokourov; and Rabobank's Denis Menchov and Michael Rasmussen.
From Barnstorm...
I am not sure whether we should care or not. Mayo seems to have peaked at the 2004 Dauphine and then disappeared in a frenzy of excuses for pathetic performances. I have read the theory here that his team was warned about doping, he cleaned up, and he sucks as a clean rider. Interesting theory. I have also heard the theory that he is a prima donna and really soft. Something doesn't go his way, he throws a hissy fit and quits. I can see that too. It's just sad after all of the hype and the few really amazing performances he showed us in 2003 and early 2004. Will we see him as a competitive rider again?????