By Antonio J. Salmerón
After achieving four victories in 2008, Spanish Pro Continental team Contentpolis-Murcia is working very hard to ensure its continuity. Despite its successful season, Contentpolis-Murcia's management is seeking additional sponsors. "We have the backing of the regional government, but we are still finalising negotiations with major sponsors," team manager José A. Ortuño told Cyclingnews.
The squad started winning last February, when Manuel Vázquez won in the queen stage in the Vuelta a la Comunidad Valenciana and finished in second place overall. Later, Oleg Chuzda had a great performance in the Vuelta a Madrid, as well as Manuel Calvente in the Vuelta a La Rioja. Jesús Buendia got second in the Trofeo Agostinho overall classification and Adrián Palomares finished in the third place in the Euskal Bizikleta. In the Rothaus Regio Tour, Vázquez won in the first stage and finished third overall.
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For next year, Contentpolis-Murcia will count on most of the current staff. "We have some interesting promising young riders, such as the local Sergio Domínguez, or the time triallist Rafael Serrano, who finished fifth in the elite European time trial championship," Ortuño added.
Racing an international calendar in 2008, the team wants to try to expand its schedule in 2009 and race the Spanish Grand Tour. "The most important thing for all of us will be to participate in the Vuelta," said Ortuño, who has acquired verbal agreements with some important Spanish riders for the next season in order to be competitive enough for the Vuelta organisers. "We want to have a sprinter," Ortuño concluded.
