Team Euskaltel-Euskadi handed over the leadership authorities to Mikel Nieve for the Giro d’ Italia 2012
Team Euskaltel-Euskadi has chosen to ride the Giro d’ Italia under the leadership of its young rider Mikel Nieve.
He started riding professionally with Team Orbea-Oreka SDA in 2008 and penned a deal with the Spanish team in 2009.
The 27-year-old is keen to continue his third consecutive season with the team.
He claimed the 16th stage victory at the Vuelta a Espana 2010 and also succeeded during the stage 15 of the Giro d’ Italia 2011.
The Spaniard participated in three Grand Tour races throughout his career, one Giro and two Vuelta a Espana.
He claimed the 10th overall position during the Giro d’ Italia 2010, 12th overall at the Vuelta a Espana and achieved the 10th overall spot during the 2012 version of the Spanish Grand Tour.
The 2012 edition of the Giro d’ Italia is scheduled on May 5 and the team has announced its final roster for the event that will start in Herning, Denmark.
Txurruka, Iván Velasco, Pierre Cazaux, Adrián Sáez de Arregi, Miguel Mínguez, Juan Jose Oroz, Jon Izagirre and Víctor Cabedo will represent the team at the Giro d’ Italia.
On the other hand, Samuel Sanchez and Igor Anton will lead Team Euskaltel-Euskadi at the Tour of Basque Country.
Mikel Astarloza, Gorka Izagirre, Jorge Azanza, Egoi Martinez, Gorka Verdugo, Juan Jose Oroz and Romain Sicard will take the team at the Tour of Basque Country 2012.
Samuel Sanchez, Anton and Astarloza will be given the leadership responsibilities in other races scheduled in the later part of the season.
However, the team’s future is in danger after a small argument that started a tussle between the Basque Government and the team’s main sponsor.
Basque Government is not happy with the colour and the format of the word Euskadi printed on the official jersey.
Basque Government’s Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce promised to provide a sum of €400,000 to support the team this season.
"In the case of this not happening, the contract will be terminated without the right to any compensation," the Ministry stated.
The debate is still in process which has left a big question mark on team’s future for the coming races of the season.
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