Team Sky reveal strong team to support Chris Froome at Vuelta a España
Froome looking to become only the third rider to win both races in the same year
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Team Sky have revealed the eight riders who will support Chris Froome at the upcoming Vuelta a España as he goes in search of a historic Tour/Vuelta double.
The runner-up in the Spanish Grand Tour in 2011, 2014, and 2016, Froome will be supported by an experienced team of domestiques with Mikel Nieve and Wout Poels likely to be his most crucial team-mates in the race's mountainous terrain.
Aside from Froome, Nieve and German rider Christian Knees are the only two riders to travel to the Vuelta having ridden the 2017 Tour de France.
>>> Vuelta a España 2017 start list
There is also a return for Ian Stannard, who missed out in July, but there is no space for Peter Kennaugh, who had been tipped to ride his final Grand Tour with Sky before departing for Bora-Hansgrohe at the end of the season.
Gianni Moscon will ride his first Grand Tour for Sky have ridden strongly in support of Mikel Landa at the Vuelta a Burgos, while 36-year-old David Lopez will be the most experienced domestique on the team as he takes to the start line for his 13th Grand Tour.
>>> Vuelta a España route 2017: key climbs and what to expect
Completing the line-up are two more Italians, Salvatore Puccio and Diego Rosa, both of whom rode the Giro d'Italia in May before returning to stage racing at the recent Tour of Poland.
With the race, which starts in Nîmes on Saturday, now less than a week away, Chris Froome said that he was looking forward to taking on a race which has frustrated him in the past.
"It certainly feels as if I’ve got unfinished business with this race. I’ve finished second three times now, but I’ve got a good feeling about this year’s Vuelta," Froome said.
"It feels like we’re on much more of a mission this year, and aiming for the Tour/Vuelta double this season has been a huge motivation.team
"I don’t think we’ve been to the Vuelta a Espana with a team as strong as we’ve got this year."
>>> Vuelta a España 2017: Who are the bookmakers backing for victory?
As ever, the 2017 Vuelta a España features a mountainous parcous that packs nine summit finishes into 21 days of racing, and team principal Dave Brailsford is under no illusion about the challenge faced by the team.
"But we know from experience just how tough and competitive the Vuelta is as a race. This year is no different with one of the very hardest mountain top finishes on the Angliru on the penultimate stage," Brailsford said.
"We go into the race with Chris supported by another group of very talented riders. It is great to have Wout Poels back after injury and it is an opportunity for him to put his mark on the season after a challenging year. Gianni Moscon will also be riding his first Grand Tour. He is an exciting talent with a lot to offer the team.
"I was very proud of how we rode the Tour this year - the teamwork and the way our riders supported each other was exceptional. This group go into the race with the same mindset and we will give them every support we can to help them succeed together."
Team Sky line up for Vuelta a España
Chris Froome
Christian Knees
David Lopez
Gianni Moscon
Mikel Nieve
Wout Poels
Salvatore Puccio
Diego Rosa
Ian Stannard
Thank you for reading 10 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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
Supersapiens boss urges UCI cooperate 'to improve rider health and safety' after Strade Bianche rider DQ
Phil Southerland publishes open letter calling for an "in-person meeting to discuss the UCI’s concerns regarding our technology"
By Adam Becket • Published
-
How to watch Gent-Wevelgem 2023: Everything you need to live stream the Belgian cobbled Classic
The key information on how to live stream Gent-Wevelgem, taking place on Sunday 26 March
By CyclingWeekly Staff • Published
-
Tom Pidcock: 'It won’t be difficult to beat my 2022 Classics results'
Ineos Grenadiers' multi-format star ready for central role in one-day racing this Spring
By Adam Becket • Published
-
No Egan Bernal at Paris-Nice as knee injury disrupts season
Former Tour de France champion "OK" but return is unknown at the moment
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
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published