Orbea, one of the few brand-based teams in
Europe, is only in its second year but is not short on accomplishments. Orbea won the team competition, as well as a stage at the 2005 Tour de l?Avenir, which remains a goal for 2006 along with the Sea Otter Classic and the Euskatel Bicicletta.

Top talents include Alan Perez and Gustavo Dominguez. The only non-Spanish rider is an American from
Texas named Armstrong. Brad Armstrong is a 19 year-old State Champion (pic) from Burleson and ?a terrific talent,? according to Orbea?s Global Marketing Director, Joseba Arizaga. He is no relation to the seven-time Tour de France winner.

The Team?s professional level SRAM componentry will include the full complement of shifters, front and rear derailleur, cranks, bottom bracket, chain, cassette and brakes. Last October SRAM introduced DoubleTap technology that allows for both up and down shifts to be executed from the same inward pivoting shift lever. Additional priorities of the component group will be advanced materials, exceptionally light weight, superior function, and sensible ergonomics.

Orbea?s Arizaga went on to say, ?SRAM has taken a fresh approach to their new road products and we consider our approach the same, we are very proud and very excited.?

Orbea?s U.S. Marketing Director, Justin Slarks, added that, ?SRAM?s componentry will offer our riders distinct advantages and, combined with Orbea frames, will be the most advanced bicycle in the peleton.?

SRAM?s Global Marketing Director,
David Zimberoff stated, ?This is an historic day as SRAM takes to the roads of
Europe, where the racing tradition began.?

The Spanish Cycling Federation last week confirmed the suspension of former Vuelta champion, Roberto Heras.   Heras tested positive in the penultimate stage of the Spanish race last year for the performance enhancing drug, EPO.   Heras lodged an appeal but after deliberation, his two year ban was up-held.

The Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) has suspended Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros-W?rth) for two years after his positive doping test for EPO, taken on the penultimate stage of the 2005 Vuelta a Espa?a. Thus, Russian Denis Menchov (Rabobank) who finished second in the Spanish tour, will be recorded as 2005 Vuelta a Espa?a champion, and Heras will remain with three victories (2000, 2003 and 2004).

"What we did was just to fulfil our commitment to apply the rules. It's not a positive or nice matter for sport or cycling but we applied the current rules,? said general secretary of the RFEC, Eugenio Bermudez to Spanish news agency Efe.

Following the announcement, Heras spoke of his disappointment.

"It's not hard to understand my complete disagreement with the decision of the federation, and the feeling of total defencelessness that I find myself in," he said in a statement. "I can't accept that my name, my dignity, and that of my whole family remain tarnished by a test that doesn't offer any guarantees."

"I have participated in nine editions of the Vuelta. I have won four; I have finished 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th on the general classification and spent 36 days in the leader's jersey,