Four losses for Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears

By Antonio J. Salmerón

Caisse d'Epargne - Illes Balears' Francis Lafargue has revealed that four riders will not return to the Spanish squad in 2006. Eusebio Unzué told Velo-club "We have four losses: Iker Leonet, Mikel Pradera, Cayetano Juliá and Jose Luis Carrasco." Lafargue also said that, "at the moment, Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears has not signed any other rider." The Frenchman affirmed that Óscar Pereiro will continue with them: "We had great results and it is not necessary to introduce many changes".

In regards to Tino Zaballa, who is affected by Spain's Operación Puerto, Lafargue announced that, "we suspended to him as soon as we were informed. At the moment, we are hoping to that the Spanish federation decides on the subject".