The organisers of the Vuelta a Espana have announced the teams who will receive wildcard entries to this year’s race.
Wildcards have been awarded to Spanish team Caja Rural – Seguros RGA, Bora – Argon 18 of Germany and the French teams Cofidis, Solutions Credits and Direct Energie.
For Bora – Argon 18, it will be the first time that the team will line up in two Grand Tours in the one season. The team have fond memories of the race as at the last participation in 2013, Leopold König finished the race in an impressive 9th place in the GC.
This year the team will give some of their young talents the opportunity to race one of the Grand Tours and to develop as a rider. Besides that, José Mendes will be the routinier in the line-up who already proved that he can play a role in the GC of the Vuelta.
“For the team this is really a step in stone,” said Ralph Denk, team manager. “We will race for the first time two Grand Tours and for a team this means not just you need the riders to do that, you also need the infrastructure and staff to handle that challenge.
“Because we are now able to do that, you can also see that we still grow as a team, even this growth is sometimes happening in the background.”
“Regarding the race we have great memories and are very happy and proud to be invited again. In a team like us, with many young riders, it is important to be able to provide a second Grand Tour in the race programme.”
“I expect a top motivated team on the line and riders that represent our colours active and aggressive in the race. The goal is to repeat the stage win of 2013 and our young guns like Silvio Herklotz and Gregor Mühlberger are talented enough to surprise if they have a good day and a little bit of luck. But also José Mendes proved already that he can climb with the best in a Grand Tour.”
The 2016 Vuelta a España that will take place from the 20th of August to the 11th of September.
2016 Vuelta a España Teams
Ag2r La Mondiale (FRA)
Astana Pro Team (KAZ)
BMC Racing Team (USA)
Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA)
Etixx – Quick Step (BEL)
FDJ (FRA)
IAM Cycling (SUI)
Lampre – Merida (ITA)
Lotto – Soudal (BEL)
Movistar Team (SPA)
Orica GreenEDGE (AUS)
Team Dimension Data (RSA)
Team Giant – Alpecin (GER)
Team Katusha (RUS)
Team LottoNL – Jumbo (NED)
Team Sky (GBR)
Tinkoff (RUS)
Trek – Segafredo (USA)
Wild Card Entries
Caja Rural – Seguros RGA (SPA)
Bora – Argon 18 (GER)
Cofidis, Solutions Credits (FRA)
Direct Energie (FRA)
