Barloworld head to Portugal

"We have had several victories in Portugal during this season, and as we prepare for the much anticipated Tour of Portugal, Team Barloworld will be gunning for yet another win," said Claudio Corti, team manager of the South African outfit. "We will also be defending our 2005 title."

Directeur sportif Valerio Tebaldi will lead Team Barloworld in the Tour of Portugal, scheduled from August 5-15. Riders to participate in the 10-day event will include Pedro Arreitunandia, Felix Cardenas, Gianpaolo Cheula, Ryan Cox, Alex Efimkin, Tiaan Kannemeyer, Hugo Sabido, Mads Christensen and Amets Txurruka.

"We are starting this race with a very competitive team as we know how challenging this race is," said Tebaldi. "We have won several times in Portugal this year with Enrico Degano’s sprints in the flat stages. This time around we will push our climbers to fight for an overall win."

Following his excellent performances and wins in the Brixia Tour and Clasica de Ordizia, Felix Cardenas will spearhead the squad. The team also places much of their confidence in Sabido, who is thrilled to race on his home-country roads. Spanish teammates Arreitunandia and Txurruka have formed a good partnership during races on the attacks and will be looking to repeat this strategy.