Caisse d’Epargne will bring some of Spain’s best cyclists to Adelaide to compete in the 2010 Santos Tour Down Under in January.

Santos Tour Down Under Race Director, Mike Turtur, today announced the full line-up for Caisse d’Epargne, which includes 2009 Vuelta a España winner Alejandro Valverde and Tour de France stage winner Luis León Sánchez Gil.

“Caisse d’Epargne is bringing an impressively strong team with them to Adelaide. With the likes of Valverde, Sánchez and Gutierrez it’s got the calibre of a Grand Tour team,” says Mike Turtur.

“There will now be three Grand Tour winners competing at the Santos Tour Down Under – Valverde, Pereiro and Armstrong.”

The 2005 winner of the Santos Tour Down Under, Luis León Sánchez Gil, will return to Adelaide after a strong 2009 season.

“Sánchez has had a great year, winning Paris-Nice and a stage of Tour de France,” says Mike Turtur.

“As a former winner of our race and a regular here in Adelaide, he’s become a favourite with the crowds and I’m really pleased that he keeps returning.

“There are a lot of riders in this Caisse d’Epargne team who could do well at our race in January. Rojas was impressive here in 2009, winning the Cycle Instead Young Rider Jersey and finishing third in the GC. Rojas will certainly be one to watch in 2010.”

The Caisse d’Epargne line-up for the 2010 Santos Tour Down Under will be led by Team Manager, Neil Stephens (AUS), and includes riders:

Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP) Jose Rojas (ESP)
Ivan Gutierrez (ESP) Jose Garcia (ESP) Mathieu Drujon (FRA)
Mathieu Perget (FRA)

The 2010 Santos Tour Down Under will be held in Adelaide and regional South Australia from 17-24 January 2010. For more information, visit www.tourdownunder.com.au.