January 10, 2004 – After many years of working together, the historic partnership between Cicli Pinarello and Jose Miguel Echavarri is set to continue with the Baleari-Banesto team racing on Opera bikes for the next three years.

Opera stands out as the more experimental and technological product of the Pinarello company -the leading international producer of high level racing bikes. The Opera logo will also be present on the team's jersey, alongside the colourful and attractive design of the Balearic Islands -the new main sponsor of the Banesto team.

The links between Cicli Pinarello and Jose Miguel Echavarri's Spanish team began at the start for the 1990s and became inseparable during the years when Miguel Indurain made history in the sport on a Pinarello. It was the results of Indurain that inspired Pinarello to create an affiliated company in Spain in 1995 called Pinarello Espana. Since then the Treviso company has continued to supply their bikes to the riders who have ridden for the Spanish team.

The decision to supply the Spanish team with Opera bikes is aimed at promoting the line of bikes first created in 1997. All the Opera models are refined and avant-guard. They are the result of research; experimentation and pure technology, all dedicated to the evolution of the racing bike. Every Opera model is made from carefully selected materials different from those used for Pinarello bikes. Carbon fibre, aluminium and titanium are combined with innovative design and research to create the Leonardo, Giorgione and Palladio models -evocative names to make the special opera bikes stand out.

The riders from the Spanish team will ride with Leonardo bikes -the top of the range and made from carbon fibre. The bikes will be quipped with group sets and wheels from Campagnolo, Vittoria tubulars, Look pedals, Deda Elementi bars, Selle Italia saddles and Elite bottle cages and bottles.

As well as the Spanish team, Cicli Pinarello is also present in the world of professional cycling with the prestigious and successful Fassa Bortolo team from Italy, the women's H2O Lorena team (with Opera bikes) and the US Under 23 National team (with Opera).