Vuelta News forSeptember 1, 2003 Edited by Jeff Jones & Chris Henry Two more years for Cipollini - and no Vuelta World champion Mario Cipollini has extended his contract with Domina Vacanze through 2005. At the same time, team manager Vincenzo Santoni has confirmed that Cipollini will not start the Vuelta a España. Vuelta organisers have threatened to revoke Domina Vacanze's invitation, which was based on the presence of the world champion. According to a Marca report, Domina Vacanze's management tried to convince Cipollini to contest the Vuelta, but unsuccessfully. Cipo has, on the other hand, decided that he will join Italy at the world championships in Hamilton, Canada. Euskaltel-Euskadi for the Vuelta The orange boys, Euskaltel-Euskadi, will ride the Vuelta España without top men Iban Mayo and Haimar Zubeldia, but will still have a competitive team for their national tour. With climber Roberto Laiseka at the helm, the team will also contain David and Unai Etxebarria, Iker Flores, Gorka Gerrikagoitia, Gorka Arrizabalaga, Gorka González, Iñaki Isasi and Alberto Martínez. Kelme to turn 25 The Spanish Kelme-Costa Blanca team will hit an impressive milestone in 2004, marking 25 years of sponsorship for title sponsor Kelme. Already the oldest team in the professional peloton, Kelme emerged from financial hardship in 2002 with the additional backing of the Generalitat Valenciana, which stepped in to pay all riders' salaries through the end of 2002, as well as ensure support until at least 2005. Team manager Vicente Belda was forced to reduce his roster from 25 to 22 riders, but the team's presence in the peloton was maintained. Previous News    Next News (All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2003)

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