By Antonio J. Salmerón
The new Spanish Professional Continental team is a tangible reality in the eyes of public since two of its three sponsorships – Grupo Nicolas Mateos and the Municipality of Murcia – announced their intentions to the media in an impromptu conference, coinciding with the dispute of the second edition of the Critérium Ciudad de Murcia.
"We will have a professional cycling team next season," said Grupo Nicolás Mateos-Murcia Directeur Sportif Ginés García to Cyclingnews. There will be an official presentation "in January" noted García, who was Spanish national selector in 1992.
"We have tried to achieve an adequate balance – riders with a certain degree of experience, marked by their fighting spirit, who will serve as great examples for the young promising riders who constitute our hope for the future." However, García added, "we can win with José Miguel Elías, Julián Sánchez, Manuel Vázquez or Adrián Palomares."
García will count on the younger riders in the beginning of the 2008 season, "because it is when they have greater opportunity of showcasing, in addition, it will give rest to the more experienced riders who are reserved for later."
The team will use the Vuelta a Murcia to make an impression, while keeping in mind the possibility of achieving one of the coveted wildcards from Vuelta a España race organiser, Unipublic. "There is no reason to hide that to take part in the Vuelta a España is our main goal, but it should not become in an obsession because we need to gain experience."
Grupo Nicolás Mateos-Murcia will not only be seen in Spain during 2008. The team will also race "in France, Portugal and Italy," where the media coverage can be greater than in its home country.
