Ane Santesteban is set to don the colours of Laboral Kutxa-Euskadi Foundation, joining her teammates in preparing for an eventful start to the 2024 season. The Basque team has outlined a busy calendar for the early months, beginning with the Mallorca Challenge from January 20-22, followed by the Women Cycling Pro Costa de Almería on January 28, Vuelta CV Féminas on February 4, UAE Tour from February 8-11, Setmana Valenciana from February 15-18, and concluding with the Almeria Classic on February 25.
Santesteban will compete in two days of the Mallorca events, namely the Palma Trophy on the 21st and the Binissalem-Andratx Trophy on the 22nd, before participating in the races in Almeria and Valencia. Her first stage race of the year will be the Setmana Valenciana, with plans to compete in the Strade Bianche and Trofeo Alfredo Binda classics in Italy in March, subject to official invitations.
Expressing her excitement, Santesteban said, “I am thrilled to wear the Laboral Kutxa jersey and be part of this project that’s more than just a team. I’ve found a close-knit working group, and we are all striving together to achieve our goals. A key aim for the team is to garner points for the WorldTour license, and I am excited to be part of this journey, contributing to the aspiration of becoming the first Basque women’s team in the WorldTour.”
Santesteban’s personal goals include maintaining her consistency, with a focus on performing well in May and June, especially in local races like Itzulia, Durango, and Eibar. She hopes to achieve good form in her first races in Mallorca and Almeria.
Other new signings are also aware of their debut races with LABORAL Kutxa. Lourdes Oyarbide will share Santesteban’s itinerary, participating in the Mallorca races, Almeria, and Setmana Valenciana. Catalina Soto Campos, Laura Tomasi, and Cristina Tonetti are set to debut in the Felanitx-Kolonia Trophy of Sant Jordi, the first race of the Mallorca Challenge. Eri Yonamine will make her debut at the Women Cycling Pro Costa in Almeria. Finally, Jessenia Meneses will compete in the Colombian national championship at the end of January.
The entire team, except for Meneses, will gather for a meeting at the Cap Negret hotel in Altea, Alicante, from January 10-18, as they gear up for the upcoming season.
