Equip cyclist Savings bank in 2007

In 2007, the Équipe cyclist Savings bank takes part for the third consecutive season in the Pro-Turn, which it had finished with the second places the previous year.

Manpower

Like each year, the team has a rather low renewal rate: five departures for five arrival. The only notable departure is that of the sprinter Antonio Colom Mas for Astana, departure compensated by arrived of Jose Joaquín Rojas Gil, him also sprinter and of the punchor Luis León Sánchez Gil. In order to satisfy the Savings bank Group, become single sponsor, the brother of Nicolas Portal, Sebastien, was committed.

Course of the season

Like each year, the team begins her season with the Challenge from Majorque (from February 11th to 15th). The results are very satisfactory there: Jose Joaquín Rojas finishes second of the first two trophies, Vicente Reynes gains the second, while Luis León Sánchez Gil, second of the fourth gains the final classification. In parallel, the team shines on the Mediterranean Tour (from February 14th to 18th), where its victory in the against-the-watch by teams initial enables him to place three runners in the four first at the final one: Marco Fertonani is fourth, Vladimir Efimkin third, while Ivan Gutierrez, leader from beginning to end, gains the race. February 27th, the sponsor Illes Balears, who was not present any more on the shirts since the beginning of the season, announces his withdrawal of cycling, while being declared very satisfied with its three years of sponsoring.

With the Turn of Valence (from February 27th to March 3rd), Vicente Reynes tries to arbitrate enters it Alessandro Petacchi and Daniele Bennati, without managing to do better than second of the first stage and third of the first. Alejandro Valverde, second of the stage of mountain, gains final general classification and shows its great form with the beginning of the season. With the Turn of Murcie (from March 7th to 11th), Rojas gains the first sprint, in a group without large sprinter.

At the beginning of September, the UCI refuses to engage Alejandro Valverde with the Championship of the World to the reason which it would be implied in the famous Puerto business. Fortunately, the Iberian runner called upon the Court of Arbitration of the Sport (HEAP) and gained its lawsuit. But the battle against the UCI had lasted a month almost, and Valverde missed forces at the time of the World one.

Appendices

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