SEPTEMBER 2, 2013

Alonso buys world tour cycling team

Fernando Alonso is set to become the owner of a professional cycling team.

Fernando Alonso is set to become the owner of a professional cycling team.

On Sunday, the Ferrari driver sent the 'Twittersphere' into a frenzy when he announced that "important news" will shortly be flowing.

Some wondered if he would announce a switch to Red Bull, confirm Kimi Raikkonen as his next teammate, or perhaps reveal his engagement to Russian model girlfriend Dasha.

Actually, specialist cycling media outlets on Monday said Alonso, a road cycling and fitness enthusiast, has bought the Spanish world tour team Euskatel-Euskadi.

El Periodico said Alonso and his sponsors will fund a EUR 6 million budget for 2014 for the team, which was set to fold at the end of this year.

Euskaltel-Euskadi, from the Basque region, released a statement confirming the agreement with Alonso, adding that more information will be forthcoming.

(GMM)