Vuelta Murcia: Cunego, Valverde, Rasmussen, Vinokourov, Popovych and Ullrich

[cyclingheroes]

The Vuelta Murcia (Spain) 2006 will have a strong field again. Confirmed are Rasmussen (Rabobank), Cunego (Lampre), Vinokourov (LOiberty and Valverde (Illes Balears). Popovych and Ullrich are considering to start in Murcia.

The tour takes place from March 1 - 5

The stages

Stage 1 - March 1: Murcia - Las Torres de Cotillas, 162 km
Stage 2 - March 2: Las Torres de Cotillas - Alhama de Murcia
Stage 3 - March 3: Jumilla - Jumilla ITT, 21.3 km
Stage 4 - March 4: Caravaca de la Cruz - alto del Collado Bermejo, 148.6 km (Mountain stage)
Stage 5 - March 5: Murcia - Murcia, 138.7 km

 

[limerickman]

Roll on March 1st at Murcia !

And Milan-San Remo also.

 

[jhuskey]

Roll on March 1st at Murcia !

And Milan-San Remo also.

Yes a strong field but I suspect that this will be just a warm up for the TDF GC contenders and I believe they will ride conservatively for the most part.
Competitive but conservative and will look for opportunity rather than create opportunities.

 

[DiabloScott]

Yes a strong field but I suspect that this will be just a warm up for the TDF GC contenders and I believe they will ride conservatively for the most part.
Competitive but conservative and will look for opportunity rather than create opportunities.

Valverde is from a small town near Murcia - he'll want to win here again.

 

[cyclingheroes]

Valverde is from a small town near Murcia - he'll want to win here again.

I think so too...

Here are the winners of the last couple of years:

1995 Adriano Baffi (Ita)
1996 Melchor Mauri (Esp)
1997 Juan Carlos Domínguez (Esp)
1998 Alberto Elli (Ita)
1999 Marco Pantani (Ita)
2000 David Canada (Esp)
2001 Aitor González (Esp)
2002 Victor Hugo Pena (Col)
2003 Javier Pascual Llorente (Esp)
2004 Alejandro Valverde (Esp)
2005 Koldo Gil (Esp)

 

[limerickman]

I think so too...

Here are the winners of the last couple of years:

1995 Adriano Baffi (Ita)
1996 Melchor Mauri (Esp)
1997 Juan Carlos Domínguez (Esp)
1998 Alberto Elli (Ita)
1999 Marco Pantani (Ita)
2000 David Canada (Esp)
2001 Aitor González (Esp)
2002 Victor Hugo Pena (Col)
2003 Javier Pascual Llorente (Esp)
2004 Alejandro Valverde (Esp)
2005 Koldo Gil (Esp)

Gil's win at Murcia set in train a great season for him : I was really impressed with Gil.
He's a fine climber and a good rider with Liberty throughout 2005.

 

[Virenque]

I can`t wait to see Vino in Liberty colours!

 

[DiabloScott]

I can`t wait to see Vino in Liberty colours!

He's going to be wearing his Kazakh champion's jersey until June. I hope it's been redesigned a bit since last year.

 

[Virenque]

True, true, I totaly forgot it.

 

[KennyCartman]

He's going to be wearing his Kazakh champion's jersey until June. I hope it's been redesigned a bit since last year.

In time trials too?

 

[cyclingheroes]

In time trials too?

No: Dimitri Murawjew is ITT champion of Kazachstan.