Published September 16, 2010 10:14AM
Ezequiel Mosquera is the man of the hour in more ways than one at the Vuelta a España.
The veteran climber is poised to make a run for overall victory in Saturday’s mountaintop stage up Bola del Mundo, and he’s suddenly become the interest of several top teams.
Several teams are interested in Mosquera, with Spanish media outlets reporting that he has offers from Movistar, Vacansoleil and his current team, Xacobeo-Galicia. Mosquera, however, said he will wait until after the Vuelta concludes Sunday before making a decision. Overall victory would greatly increase his value in the market.
Fran Ventoso, a Spanish sprinter hot off victory at Paris-Brussels, has reached a two-year deal to join Movistar for 2011-12. The news comes as Ventoso was also selected for Spain’s worlds team for Australia.
“I will remember this day as the most important in my sporting career, after passing through everything that can happen as a professional. Now I am back on top, representing my country in the worlds and signing with one of the best teams in the world,” Ventoso said. “I’m very happy with the contract. I am glad to be back at the ProTour level.”
In France, Nicolas Vogondy has penned a deal to join Cofidis in a two-year contract. Vogondy is a two-time national time trial champion and a winner of a stage at Risoul at the Critérium du Dauphiné in June.