Grupo Nicolás Mateos adding Pro-continental team?

By Antonio J. Salmerón

The former technical advisor to the now defunct 3 Molinos Resort team, Ginés García, told local radio Onda Regional de Murcia "to have designed a plan for a future Pro-continental cycling squad sponsored by the Grupo Nicolás Mateos," although it will not be linked to the current continental squad directed by José Luis de Santos. In fact, the Spanish sponsor has already announced to its team management that the contractual agreement for two seasons (2006-2007) will not be renewed, according to close sources asked by Cyclingnews.

"The Grupo Nicolás Mateos wants to continue sponsoring a cycling team, but also needs to continue growing," Ginés García explained.

The Spaniard assured that "there are also a junior, an under-23 and an elite (amateur) squad projected." The only thing in doubt is its budget. "At the moment we are still negotiating with other sponsors and with the regional government," García concluded.

The new Grupo Nicolás Mateos Pro-continental formation will give preference to the local riders, such as Eloy Teruel and José Antonio Baños (GNM continental) and Jesús Buendia (Barbot), among others. At the same time José Luis de Santos will continue as directeur sportif.