Simon Yates among five Brits on the Vuelta a España start list
Five British riders will line up for the 2016 Vuelta a España, which starts on Saturday August 20

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
The 2016 Vuelta a España starts on Saturday August 20, and now as many as five British riders have been confirmed on the start list.
Tour de France winner Chris Froome is set to lead Team Sky, and he will be backed-up by compatriot Peter Kennaugh.
Simon Yates has been given the nod by Orica-BikeExchange and is likely to be a co-leader with Esteban Chaves.
The fourth British rider in Hugh Carthy, whose Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team were given a wildcard invitation.
The new addition to British contingent is Scott Thwaites, who is listed on Bora-Argon 18's roster ahead of Saturday's opening stage.
British riders at the 2016 Vuelta a España
Chris Froome (Team Sky)
Age: 31
Chris Froome will continue his busy racing schedule by taking the start at the Vuelta. Earlier in the summer, the Team Sky leader successfully defended his Tour de France crown before heading to Brazil to compete in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The rider looked off his best in the Olympic road race but managed to find his way onto the bottom step of the podium in the time trial.
With two second places and a fourth from previous rides in the Vuelta, Froome has spoken of "unfinished business" in the Spanish race so expect to see him going for the win.
Simon Yates (Orica-BikeExchange)
Age: 24
Simon Yates expected to ride the Tour de France alongside his twin brother Adam, but an admin error over the use of an inhaler resulted in the former receiving a four month ban from racing.
Adam went on to be the breakthrough rider of the Tour, so Simon will no doubt be looking to do the same at the Vuelta.
>>> Simon and Adam Yates extend for two years with Orica-BikeExchange
Lining up alongside Orica teammate Esteban Chaves, Yates will likely have a co-leader role as the Australian team looks to challenge for the GC.
Chaves came second in this year's Giro d'Italia and enjoyed spells in the leader's jersey at the 2015 Vuelta, as well as taking two stage wins.
All the latest from the Vuelta
Vuelta a España 2019 live TV guide
Vuelta a España 2021 start list: All the teams for the 76th edition
Chris Froome confirmed to lead Team Sky at Vuelta a España
Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde confirmed for Vuelta a España (video)
Hugh Carthy (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA)
Age: 22
Hugh Carthy will be at the Vuelta thanks to his Spanish Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team being granted one of the wildcard slots for this year's race.
The young British rider is a strong climber so will be in the mix in the mountains, and will surely challenge for stage wins.
The 22-year-old will make the leap up top WorldTour next season with a move to Cannondale-Drapac, so the final Grand Tour of 2016 should give us an indication of his potential on the biggest stage.
Scott Thwaites (Bora-Argon 18)
Age: 26
Making his Grand Tour debut, Scott Thwaites is known for his aggressive riding in the Spring Classics so expect to see him challenging for stage wins.
Thwaites's best result came at Le Samyn in March when he attacked but couldn't hold off Niki Terpstra (Etixx-Quick Step), and crossed the line second.
The team, which will be called Bora-Hansgrohe from next season, is stepping up to WorldTour ans has already announced the signing of world champion Peter Sagan.
Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky)
Age: 27
Peter Kennaugh dropped out of the Olympic Games after he struggled to find form following an injury.
Hi return to racing will see him working for Team Sky leader Froome during the three-week race, a role he has played before at the Tour de France.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Jack Elton-Walters hails from the Isle of Wight, and would be quick to tell anyone that it's his favourite place to ride. He has covered a varied range of topics for Cycling Weekly, producing articles focusing on tech, professional racing and cycling culture. He moved on to work for Cyclist Magazine in 2017 where he stayed for four years until going freelance. He now returns to Cycling Weekly from time-to-time to cover racing, review cycling gear and write longer features for print and online.
-
-
Durango to host Sepp Kuss homecoming celebration on October 19
The La Vuelta winner will be welcomed back to his hometown with a good old-fashioned American jubilee on October 19
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
‘The stress just doesn’t stop’ - 25-year-old British pro to retire
Charlie Quarterman cites contract uncertainty, health issues, and physical demands of elite competition as reasoning behind retirement decision
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Is Chris Froome - in 2023 - a professional cyclist, or an influencer?
The seven-time Grand Tour winner hasn't raced since July, but has taken to being interesting on social media
By Adam Becket Published
-
Chris Froome 'absolutely not' worth multi-million euro salary says his team boss
The four-time Tour de France winner was not selected for this year's Tour de France for performance reasons, Israel-Premier Tech boss Sylvan Adams says
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
A one-two was always the dream: Simon and Adam Yates' mum on a wild start to the Tour de France
‘There would have been a lot of banter afterwards’ says the mother of the UAE and Jayco-AIUla riders
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Adam Yates: Going one-two with your twin brother at the Tour de France, not many can say that
Adam beats Simon Yates in Bilbao, but says his brother will be a 'pain in the ass' in the coming weeks
By Adam Becket Published
-
Chris Froome not selected for Tour de France 2023
38-year-old misses out on 'ultimate goal' as Israel-Premier Tech confirm eight-man squad
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Back to Africa: Chris Froome on going back to his roots, his future and cycling's new generation
He’s come full circle, but is there time for another loop? We talk to the four-time Tour champ about his and African cycling’s future
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Rough day' for Chris Froome after crash and punctures kill best chance of victory since 2018
The 37-year-old was up the road in a solo move for over 50km at the Tour du Rwanda on Thursday
By Adam Becket Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis Published