Karpin Galicia ready for racing

By Antonio J. Salmerón

The Karpin Galicia training camp concluded with an overall feeling of satisfaction. The checks will come soon enough as the Spanish Professional Continental squad – directed by Alvaro Pino and led by Ezequiel Mosquera (fifth in the 2007 Vuelta a España) – start racing in early-February on two fronts: Tour de Langkawi, 9 to 16, and the Challenge de Mallorca, 10 to 14.

Pino talked about the work done during those nine training days in the region of Minho Baixo (in southwest Galicia). "The training sessions were divided into two groups; one of ten riders, who will start the season stronger, and the other one with those who are going to ride a little slower initially. The first group focused its training in the mountain, so that it carried out a more specific and intense work than the other one," he explained to Cyclingnews.

The riders' attitude was greatly appreciated by Pino. "Their attitude has been really very positive, especially when compared with last year."

Alvaro Pino also referred to Carlos Castaño, David Herrero and David Garcia, "because they should play an important role in the 2008 Karpin Galicia team." However, he was very hopeful with Juan Francisco Mouron Doldan and Serafín Martínez, "who have shown an excellent adaptation to the upper ranks, as well as [Gonzalo] Rabuñal and [David] Abad." We must not forget that the latter remains the youngest rider in our team."