The Vuelta Ciclista a la Región de Murcia Gran Premio Banco Sabadell has signed an agreement with Floración de Cieza to sponsor the Mariano Rojas Memorial. The trophy commemorates the race's death in 1996. The year after his death, the Vuelta a Murcia established this tribute, which is still maintained today.
The cyclist who finishes first across the intermediate sprint, which will be held in Cieza, will receive the Mariano Rojas Memorial Trophy on the podium in the capital. The last winner of this award, which commemorates the ONCE rider, was Alejandro Valverde of the Movistar Team from Murcia, who will be starting the 28th edition.
The Mayor of Cieza, Pascual Lucas, the Councilor for Tourism responsible for the Cieza Flowering Festival, Antonio Moya, and the General Director of the Vuelta a Murcia, Francisco Guzmán, attended the signing of the agreement.
The race will take place on February 10th between the towns of Murcia and Beniel. The 208-kilometer race will cover various locations in the region, including Cieza, Abarán, Molina de Segura, Alguazas, Ojós, Blanca, Abarán, Mula, Bullas, Alhama, Totana, Librilla, and Alcantarilla. The aim is to ensure that the region can enjoy the only international event of its kind.
Guzmán also announced the participation of German Katusha rider Tony Martin. Considered by many to be the greatest time trialist of all time, he will compete in the 38th edition of the Vuelta a Murcia Banco Sabadell. Martin will enter the race with his seven world medals, four of which have been converted into rainbow jerseys.