Vuelta Ciclista a Burgos - Spa - cat. 2.1
15 top class teams - an interesting parcours which includes the legendary Lagunas de Neila - Mercado looks to defend the jersey he won last year ahead of US Postal's José Luis Rubiera who both ride again.
THE STAGES
Stage 1 - August 12: Burgos - Medina de Pomar, 156 km - Three metas volantes - but basically a course that descends all the way to Medina.
Stage 2 - August 13: Frias - Miranda de Ebro, 172km - Two early climbs with all three metas volantes in the first valley. The Portillo de Busto Cat two at 120 kilometres, then a dead flat run in.
Stage 3 - August 14: Peña Aranda de Duero - Aranda de Duero, 18km TT - flat stage for the men against the clock.
Stage 4 - August 15: Huerta del Rey - Lagunas de Neila, 165km - 4 classified climbs before the riders tackle the legendary Lagunas de Neila - one of the toughest climbs in Europe - make sure you set the video!
Stage 5 - August 16: Castrojeriz - Burgos, 172km - third cat climb just before the finish allows a one last gasp effort for those who think they can still win.
Teams and Selected Riders
LOTTO - ADECCO MIKHAILOV, BRANDT, STREMERSCH, VAN DE WOUWER BAGUET
VLAANDEREN VAN DE WALLE, VANLANDSCHOOT
CSC TISCALI SASTRE, SORENSEN, RASMUSSEN, CALVENTE
EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI ARTETXE
IBANESTO.COM FLECHA, GUTIERREZ, ARRIETA, PIEPOLI, MERCADO, BLANCO, MANCEBO
KELME - COSTA BLANCA VICIOSO, VALVERDE, GONZALEZ, GARCIA, MANZANO
RELAX - FUENLABRADA FERNANDEZ, BURGOS
JAZZTEL - COSTA ALMERÍA SMETANINE, TORRENT
ONCE EROSKI ZARRABEITIA, HRUSKA, NOZAL, ANDRLE, CASTRESANA
ALESSIO FRATTINI, BERTOLINI, MIHOLJEVIC, ZANETTI, FERRARA, PELLIZOTTI
FASSA BORTOLO BARTOLI, CASAGRANDE, VELO, STANGELJ, VALJAVEC
SAECO MACCHINE PER CAFFE SIMONI, COMMESSO, MASON, PUGACI
PHONAK GRABSCH, CAMENZIND, DOMINGUEZ
DE NARDI MONTEGRAPPA CADAMURO, GOBBI, KOHUT, VALACH
US POSTAL SERVICE CLINGER, BARRY, VANDEVELDE, RUBIERA, HERAS, KJAERGAARD, ZABRISKIE, MCRAE
Past Winners
2001 Juan Miguel Mercado (Spa), 2 José Luis Rubiera (Spa), Eladio Jimenez (Spa)
2000 Leonardo Piepoli (ITA), Oscar Sevilla (SPA), Pascal Hervé (FRA)
1999 Abraham Olano (SPA), Dario Frigo (ITA), Laurent Dufaux (SWI)
1998 Abraham Olano (SPA), Leonardo Piepoli (ITA), Angel Luís Casero (SPA)
1997 Laurent Jalabert (FRA), Abraham Olano (SPA), Fernando Escartín (SPA)
1996 Tony Rominger (SWI)
1995 Laurent Dufaux (SWI)
1994 Armand de las Cuevas (FRA)
1993 Laudelino Cubiño (SPA)
1992 Alex Zülle (SWI)
1991 Pedro Delgado (SPA)
1990 Marino Lejarreta (SPA)
1989 Francisco Antequera (SPA)
1988 Marino Lejarreta (SPA)
1987 Marino Lejarreta (SPA)
1986 Marino Lejarreta (SPA)
1985 José Recio (SPA)
1984 Federico Echavé (SPA)
1983 Angel de las Heras (SPA)
1982 José Laguia (SPA)
1981 Faustino Ruperez (SPA)
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