By Antonio J. Salmerón
Spaniard Claudio Casas has reached a contractual agreement with the Professional Continental squad Andalucía - Cajasur for the 2008 season with an option for one more year, it was announced Thursday. "I had a contract to sign with the Grupo Nicolás Mateos-Murcia, but when I received that, I was already studying the extension of the Andalucía - Cajasur one," Casas commented today to Cyclingnews.
The 25 year-old rider made his debut in 2005 with the now defunct Comunidad Valenciana team, where he raced for two season. He was then signed by Andalucía - Cajasur. "When I came to this team, I was given a verbal agreement to renew for two more years, until 2009, but in an optional way", Casas said.
He assured that he is treated "very well" by team manager Antonio Cabello and director Martínez Oliver, and was optimistic about the possibility to debut in the Vuelta a España. "I was selected last year, but at the end they decided that all the team-members, except Luis Pérez, should be from the region of Andalucia; anyway, our squad has many possibilities to be invited by Unipublic after having given a good impression in the last edition". Casas considered, "I have to get better each season, and to work harder than ever before" in the mountains and in the time trial.
