13-Aug-2010: The year’s last Grand Tour, the most famous tour in Spain, the Vuelta a España 2010 is just two weeks away. The 65th edition kicks off on August 28 with a team time trial of over 13 kilometres that will be held at night in Sevilla. The overall course is 3,352.6 km long, including 2 time trials and 8 mountain stages.

“Our team is very motivated and hungry to achieve the best results possible in the Vuelta a España. It will be the “home race” for several of our riders and certainly, beside the World Championships, the highlight of the late season,” said Philippe Mauduit (FRA), Sports Director. “Our goal for the Vuelta is to have a stage win and go for the podium with Carlos Sastre (ESP) who ended already three times on the podium (second in 2005 and 2007 and third in 2008). The course is ideal for him and we will bring a strong team to support him.”

Out of the pre-selected pool of 11 riders (see below), a balanced 9 rider-strong team will be announced.

Theo Bos, 26, The Netherlands
Iñigo Cuesta, 41, Spain
Philip Deignan, 26, Ireland
Stefan Denifl, 22, Austria
Xavier Florencio, 30, Spain
Roger Hammond, 36, United Kingdom
Thor Hushovd, 32, Norway
Brett Lancaster, 30, Australia
Oscar Pujol, 26, Spain
Xavier Tondo, 31, Spain
Carlos Sastre, 35, Spain