The lineup for the Vuelta a España is starting to look incredibly good
Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana will ride the Vuelta a España according to their team boss, with the rest of the lineup looking great too
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Movistar duo Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde will both head to the Vuelta a España, according to team manager Eusebio Unzue.
On the second Tour rest day, the duo sit second and fourth respectively but are some way off the pace of Chris Froome. With Quintana choosing not to defend his 2014 Giro d'Italia title, the Vuelta could be his best chance of Grand Tour victory this season.
Unzue insists his team is strongest when Quintana and Valverde ride together, which is what they'll do in the Vuelta, starting August 22.
"When they are together the team improves a lot, separate weakens us," he told Biciciclismo. "And, although sometimes they can fight for common goals, everyone is ready to support whoever is better; and they are available to work for each other at all times.
"That is our strength and of the success of this team."
Another struggling Tour rider, Vincenzo Nibali, could try to make amends at the Vuelta, having struggled badly and even been stripped of the Astana leadership in the race.
The Kazakh team could put out a formidable nine-man team, with Fabio Aru and Mikel Landa - second and third in the Giro - also rumoured to be targeting the race.
Froome also dropped a hint that he will ride the Vuelta, having said he would be prepared to undergo physiological testing between the Tour and Vuelta to prove the legitimacy of his performances.
Eight-time stage winner Joaquim Rodriguez - winner of two Tour stages this year - has also been mooted as a starter, as have Fabian Cancellara and Tom Dumoulin, both of whom crashed out of the Tour on stage three.
Check out Chris Froome's Tour de France bike
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
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
-
Maindy Flyers CC say moving Cardiff velodrome risks them missing the next Geraint Thomas
Earlier this week, historic Welsh club where Geraint Thomas, Owain Doull and Elinor Barker started out released open letter detailing their opposition to relocation
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Team bosses underwhelmed by 'symbolic' UCI rider development fee plan
The new rule will see development teams earn €2,000 a season once a rider signs to the WorldTour
By Tom Davidson • 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
-
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
-
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
-
Where next for Nairo Quintana? Colombian claims he'll still be at WorldTour races
Bahrain-Victorious say no, Movistar are full, Astana-Qazaqstan and AG2R-Citroën have already denied interest
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Chris Froome labels WorldTour relegation a ‘death sentence for many teams’
Four-time Tour de France winner says UCI points system needs overhaul as Israel-PremierTech face relegation from the WorldTour
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Nairo Quintana’s Tour de France tramadol disqualification upheld
CAS uphold the UCI decision to disqualify the Colombian after painkiller detected in blood tests
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Chris Froome still holds out hope for fifth Tour de France win
Israel-Premier Tech rider says the dream is "always there"
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Changing of the guard: Seven top cyclists who have retired in 2022
Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tom Dumoulin have all called time on their careers this year
By Tom Thewlis • Published