Illes Balears presented in Mallorca

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The official presentation of the Illes Balears team took place on Friday, February 4 in Palma de Mallorca, just a couple of days before the team debuts in the challenge Illes Balears. The presentation was overseen by the principal authorities of the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) Government, including Consejera de Presidencia y Deportes Ms. María Rosa Puig, Consejero de Turismo Mr. Joan Flaquer and Director General de Deportes Mr. José Luis Ballester.

As it marked the first public appearance of all the new Team Illes Balears' members, there was a good deal of attention focused on Alejandro Valverde, the brilliant young sprinter/climber who was poached from Comunidad Valenciana towards the end of last year. At the post-presentation press conference, Valverde said that he was confident in facing the new season, where he wants to confirm himself as a future cycling champion.

On the other hand, Francisco Mancebo, team leader for the Tour de France and Spanish Champion in 2004/2005, said that he wants to continue to build on his successful 2004, where he finished on the podium in the Vuelta a España.

With Valverde and Mancebo, Spanish time trial champion Iván Gutiérrez, white jersey in the last Tour de France Vladimir Karpets and Unai Osa (who will target Giro de Italia), there are several good GC riders on the squad that will make a strong impression this season.