Vuelta a Espana - Team Preview, Part 2

Movistar

Their hopes were severely dashed; when a freak accident caused the death of their main Vuelta hopeful Xavier Tondo. They will no doubt have him in mind and would love to have a victory, to dedicate to him. A couple of stage victories are what these rider will be looking to achieve; Marzio Bruseghin, Imanol Erviti, Chente García Acosta, Beñat Intxausti, Vasil Kiryienka, Ignatas Konovalovas, Pablo Lastras, David López, Ángel Madrazo, Sergio Pardilla, Rubén Plaza and Branislau Samoilau. They could even hold the red jersey, if they can pull out a good team time-trial.

Omega Pharma-Lotto

Philippe Gilbert held the leaders jersey, for five stages, after winning on the third day of last year’s event. He has had a busy post Tour de France and may not enter this year’s tour, but Jurgen Van Den Broeck will be making an appearance. The latter suffered multiple injuries, after a mass rider crash, during this year’s Tour de France. Now that he is back in training, he will be looking to make a big impact on the GC and a possible podium.

Pro Team Astana

Astana have been a team in trouble this year, after the departure of Alberto Contador. The injury, and subsequent retirement, of Alexander Vinokorov severely dented the team’s ambitions, this year. There have been some pretty average performances from the team this year and any achievements during the race will be hard fought. Without the attacking style of Vinokorov, they are unlikely to make an impact this year.

Quick-Step Cycling Team

Known for leaving their team announcements until the last moment, Quick-Step are yet to release their rider list. Carlos Barredo won a stage, for the Belgian team, but now that he is gone they will have to look elsewhere. The team finished fourth from bottom, in the team classification, and Barredo was their highest GC finish, in 43^rd. Surely a stage win is the most they can hope for, but it will be tough.

Rabobank

Oscar Freire, Matti Breschel and, Tour de France stage winner, Luis Leon Sanchez, will lead a strong line-up. Freire has won seven stages, in seven Vuelta appearances, so victory seems likely for the team. Barredo and Tom Slagter are also named in, nine-rider, list; giving them a good shot at the team prize. Expect to see them in many of the breaks, over the three weeks.

Saxo Bank SunGard

Their biggest Tour rider, Contador, will be taking a well earned rest and not taking part in the 2011 Vuelta. They do have a strong squad of young riders, such as Richie Porte, who will be vying for a spot in the race. With no real contender for a big jersey, they could go for a very young team a la Alex Ferguson and who knows what will happen?

Skil-Shimano

Marcel Kittel has set the sprinting world a light, over the past couple of weeks, and has been named on the team. The German won four stages, during the Tour of Poland, and could be a real contender for the sprinter’s jersey, in his first Grand Tour. With a team of fairly unknown riders, they should put their effort behind Kittel and could reap some big rewards.

Sky ProCycling

Bradley Wiggins will be another rider hoping to make up for a disappointing Tour de France, with a positive Vuelta result. His late decision to join the Vuelta line-up, could cost one of the younger riders their chance in a Grand Tour. Claiming to be in good form, he could be in contention for a top-five position, but it remains to be seen what he can do.

Team Garmin-Cervelo

Dan Martin will be looking to get over missing his second Tour of Poland Victory, by a mere five seconds. Tom Danielson will is also aiming for a solid result, after he finished 9^th in the 2010 edition. Martin could prove a vital asset to Danielson, if he hopes to move up the classification. They will also be one of the main contenders for the opening stage, after a stunning Tour performance.

Team RadioShack

Janez Brajkovic and Andreas Klöden are making a comeback from injury and could provide some good action, on the road. Robbie Hunter has had a lean year, but he will finally get his chance, after suffering from injury problems. This will be RadioShack’s first year at the Vuelta and they will be looking to make an impact, on the Spanish race.

Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team

This Dutch team have really made an impact on the ProTour, since they were awarded their licence for 2011. Vacansoleil haven’t won much since their entry in to the ProTour scene, but their attacking style provides for good watching. It remains to be seen if Borut Bozic will be taking to the bike, but if he does, he could give the team a couple of victories. Marco Marcato has also enjoyed a good run of form and could be another source of a stage victory.