New Grupo Nicolás Mateos is close to reality

By Antonio J. Salmerón

Sources consulted by Cyclingnews have indicated that, in the following days, a new Spanish Professional Continental squad could become reality. Grupo Nicolás Mateos, which already existed in 2006 as a Continental team, is likely to have its sponsorship from the Murcia-based real estate company renewed, and increased, for four more years.

It will be directed by José Luis de Santos, with support from Ginés García (formerly with team 3 Molinos Resort). Its new management will meet this week with the local government of Murcia. The meeting will help determine the degree of involvement by the local government, which in the past lent its support to the 3 Molinos Resort Professional Continental team by means of its local tourist slogan 'Murcia Turística.'

The new Grupo Nicolás Mateos team is interested in signing local cyclists without contractual agreement for the next year, such as Francisco Pérez (currently with Caisse d'Epargne), Claudio Casas (Andalucía-Cajasur) and Jesús Buendía (Barbot-Halcon). These riders are not the only ones, the new Spanish Professional Continental team could be also thinking of Roberto Heras and Santos González, among others.