Team Honduras-Tigo to Tour of the Gila

A selection of Honduras' finest cyclists will be making their racing debut in the U.S. this spring. After receiving a special invitation to the Tour of the Gila in Silver City, New Mexico, from May 2-6, the team has expanded their U.S. race calendar to include more events in the Southwest during a one-month stay just north of the border.

The team, which placed second in the Vuelta Nicaragua will be lead by Honduran National Road and Time Trial Champion Armando Orellana and the 2006 Silver Medalist at the Central American Games Cristian Velasquez. Also directing and riding for the elite team will be Brian Husen from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Two juniors from the Honduran National Juniors Team, 2006 Junior Road Championship Series Winner George Haimes and Junior National Mountain Bike Champion Sergio Campos, will round out the roster.

"I want to thank the cycling community in New Mexico and the Tour of the Gila promoters for their support in making this long-time dream come true for me and the team," said Brian Husen of Honduras Cycling. "The team is ready and should be in very competitive form in April. It will be interesting to see our fitness level compared to our friends from the north," added Director Manuel Vela.