Astarloza moves to Euskaltel

By Antonio J. Salmerón

One of the Spanish riders at AG2R, Mikel Astarloza, will leave for Euskaltel-Euskadi at the end of the season, after reaching an agreement on Thursday. The 26 year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Basque team. Astarloza made his debut as a professional with the French team in 2002, for which he rode during the last five seasons and with which he participated in, and finished on four occasions, in the Tour of France. Astarloza also won the Tour Down Under in 2003. Euskaltel-Euskadi thus continues supporting a team that this week has also signed Iñaki Isasi and David López from next season until 2008.