Benfica's back

By Antonio J. Salmerón

Road cycling team Benfica will return in 2007. Its directeur sportif, Portuguese ex-pro Orlando Rodrigues, commented in the Portuguese press on the ambitious international calendar that the team is currently planning, mainly including Spanish, French and Belgian races. In Spain, the newly-created squad will be participating in the Challenge de Mallorca, Subida al Naranco, Vuelta a Asturias and Vuelta a Murcia or the Vuelta a Comunidad Valenciana.

The new Portuguese continental professional cycling team will also be represented in Germany in April, at the International Niedersachsen Rundfahrt for example. But it is also hoping for an invitation to the Tour de Romandie (from May 1-6) or go to the 4 Days of Dunkerque instead. These races will not be the only appearances in central Europe, because the 3 Days of De Panne or the Tour of Luxembourg are also included in its current planning. Benfica will of course also race the Portuguese professional calendar, including the Tour of Portugal.