Galician newspaper reports deal is done
Ezequiel Mosquera, the rider who is poised to take over the leader’s jersey in the Vuelta a España tomorrow, is reported to have already sealed a two year contract with the Vacansoleil team. That’s according to the Voz de Galicia, which is based in the region he and his current team are from.
It was reported yesterday that the 34 year old climber was going to wait until next week before making up his mind; he had been courted by Movistar, and there was a chance that the Xacobeo Galicia team would make him an offer to remain on with them. Because of those various options, an important team meeting on Monday and the possibility that he could win the race, he had indicated that he wasn’t going to make a decision for a few days yet.
However, according to the Galician newspaper, he has committed for two seasons to the Dutch squad. It is still smarting from not being invited to any of the three Grand Tours this year, and is pushing to get a ProTour licence. The team management realise that with a potential Vuelta a España winner in its ranks, it is highly unlikely he, and the squad, would be passed over in 2011.
Vacansoleil is currently riding strongly in the Tour of Britain; Borut Bozic is second overall, Johnny Hoogerland has been one of the most aggressive riders in the race and is holding the King of the Mountains jersey, Michael Golas is the sprint competition leader and the squad is best in the team standings.
It has signed Stijn Devolder for 2010 and already has Riccardo Riccò on its books, although whether or not that signing will enamour the big race organisers remains to be seen. It has also just sealed a three year deal with Ridley to use the company’s bikes, replacing its current supplier Batavus.
Mosquera’s signing would increase the strength of the team and its appeal to Spanish race organisers. It would also fit in with a statement made by Hoogerland after stage two, when he told VeloNation that a big signing was on the cards.
“One very big new rider is coming to the team, and they will publish his name in a few days or weeks,” he said. “I think it will not be so easy to pass over us next year.”
Mosquera is currently 38 seconds behind Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Doimo) in the Vuelta. Tomorrow’s stage is one of the most mountainous of the race and finishes at the top of the Bola del Mundo climb. The Galician is known for his explosive attacks in the mountains and is certain to give his all to take the red jersey to Madrid.