Alvarez Gutierrez signs extended contract with Giant Italia

With an eye toward the Olympic Games in London, England, Ivan Alvarez Gutierrez signed a four-year contract with the Giant Italia team. His contract comes with an option for the 2013 season, too.

"I'm very happy about this contract and my results from the entire year. In 2008, sometimes I had bad luck, like in Madrid. But this year, I will be ready in every race on my calendar."

Alvarez Gutierrez, who was born in Talavera de la Reina, had some good results in 2008. He finished third in the final round of the UCI cross country World Cup in Schladming, Austria, behind World Champion Christoph Sauser and Jose Antonio Hermida. He also finished second at the Roc d'Azur.

"The renewal of the contract is another element of the ambitious Giant Italia Team's project," said Team Manager Gianfranco Bechis, who added that his riders are targeting a win in a World Cup in 2009.

Alvarez Gutierrez and his team will take part in a training came in Sicily from February 5 to 23. His first race will be the fourth edition of the Granfondo del Muretto di Alassio.