Ramírez Abeja to return in '09

By Monika Prell

After one season out of the sport Javier Ramírez Abeja will return to the professional peloton in 2009. The 30 year-old rider from Carmona, Spain has signed a one-year contract with Andalucía Cajasur, becoming the team's 13th rider for next season, according to Biciciclismo.com.

Ramírez, who turned professional in 2004, spent three years with Liberty Seguros before riding for Fuerteventura Canarias in 2007. The rider was unable to find a professional team in 2008, so spent the year with his former amateur team Avila Rojas.

A strong season with Avila Rojas put Ramírez back on the radar of professional team bosses for next season. In addition to more than 10 top 10 classifications in 2008, Ramírez won some 11 races.

While Andalucía Cajasur's full roster for 2009 is yet to be completed, the team won't renew Francisco José Ventoso- or José Antonio Redondo's contract after poor performances in 2008.

Andalucía Cajasur's 2009 squad includes: Javier Ramírez, Javier Moreno, Francisco José Martínez, José Ruiz, Antonio Piedra, Jesús Rosendo, José Antonio Carrasco, José Antonio López, Xavier Tondo Ángel Vicioso, Manuel Calvente, Esteban Plaza and José Luis Roldán.