Vuelta News forAugust 30, 2003 Edited by Chris Henry & Jeff Jones Kelme's Vuelta team The Spanish Kelme-Costa Blanca team, winner of the 2002 Vuelta a España with Aitor Gonzalez (now Fassa Bortolo), has presented its team for its national tour. Oscar Sevilla, who has been out of competition for much of 2003, will serve as an untested team leader this year. Short on racing form but motivated for a good result, Sevilla will try to challenge the likes of Gonzalez, Roberto Heras (US Postal), and Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE-Eroski), whom he considers favourites for the overall honours. Sevilla has also declared himself satisfied with Kelme and expects to carry on next year. "It's up to me to repay the confidence Kelme has had in me, and if there are no problems, I expect to extend the contract," Sevilla commented in the Spanish press. "I feel good here." Kelme's line up for the Vuelta includes Sevilla, Francisco Cabello, Carlos Garcia Quesada, Adolfo Garcia Quesada, José Enrique Gutiérrez, David Latasa, Jesus Manzano, Toni Tauler, Alejandro Valverde, and Constantino Zaballa. Vuelta festivities set Presentations and festivities for the 58th edition of the Vuelta a España will kick off next week. The race begins Saturday, September 6, and on Thursday the teams for this year's race will be presented at the Molinón Stadium in the start city of Gijon. During the presentation the baton of the Vuelta will be passed to the mayor of León, the start town for 2004. On Saturday, the race's opening day, a public race will be held in the morning prior to the start of the team time trial and festivities will continue into the evening with what organisers are calling the world's biggest puppet show, as well as musical entertainment and regional food and drink specialties. Previous News    Next News (All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2003)

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