Caisse d'Epargne pulls Zaballa and Plaza from Giro

In order to comply with the wishes of Giro d'Italia organiser RCS Sport, that no Operación Puerto implicated riders compete in its race, Spanish squad Caisse d'Epargne has issued a revised Giro line-up without the names of Ruben Plaza or Constantino Zaballa, according to tuttobiciweb.

The pair have been replaced by Alexei Markov and Mathieu Perget.

The changes mean that Caisse d'Epargne brings five riders competing in their first Grand Tour to the start in Sardinia: Eric Berthou, Alberto Losada, Alexei Markov, Mathieu Perget and José Joaquín Rojas. "A rather inexperienced team, but with talented riders who are able to do well in every kind of stage," said directeur sportif José Luis Jaimerena in a team statement.

"José Joaquín Rojas and Alexei Markov will take part in the sprints while David Arroyo and Alberto Losada can do very well in the mountain stages," he continued. "The other riders who form the team will look for oportunities to go with some breakaways."

Caisse d'Epargne for the Giro d'Italia: David Arroyo, Eric Berthou, Joan Horrach, Pablo Lastras, Alberto Losada, Alexei Markov, Aitor Pérez, Mathieu Perget and José Joaquín Rojas.