Second Edition News for December 20, 1996


Latest on Indurain

Five-times Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain looks almost certain to leave Banesto when his contract expires at the end of the year.

``He's left us, I can't say anything else,'' said Banesto team director Jose Miguel Echavarri on Wednesday, ``Perhaps he's got something against us, or against the team.''

But Indurain continues to train hard, leading to intense media speculation that he will opt against retirement and sign for ONCE.

``He would be a great incorporation,'' said ONCE team director Manolo Saiz. Indurain's wife Marisa told reporters that no agreement had been reached with ONCE.

The future of Indurain has been a mystery since he pulled out of the Tour of Spain in September.

Many commentators criticised Banesto for having forced the Olympic gold medallist to ride in the race against his wishes.

Banesto boss says he is gone

Five-times Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain of Spain was set for another year in professional cycling but with a different team, Banesto boss Jose Miguel Echavarri said on Wednesday.

Echavarri said on Spanish television that although Indurain was technically linked with Banesto till the end of the year "he has already left us and I don't know his reasons."

Speaking from Madrid on Wednesday, Indurain refused to comment on his sporting future. "I don't want to talk about it now," he said.