The effects of the global economic crisis have impacted on Spain much more than most other countries and have forced the organisers of the Tour of Murcia – now more dependent on private funding – to progressively reduce the length of their race from five days in 2010, to three last year and now to two – a mountain-top finish and an individual time trial in the city of Murcia. The time trial is being financed by and named after Cash Europa. [If only – Ed.]
Taking part in this weekend’s 32nd edition of the Vuelta Ciclista a la Region de Murcia – Trofeo Alfonzo Guzman – to give the race its full title – will be 19 teams composed of seven riders apiece, four of whom have ProTeam status: Movistar, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Rabobank and Vacansoleil-DCM. The remaining teams include two national squads from Spain and Russia.
