The Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana will be the 2016 debut for Fabio Aru. The winner of Vuelta a Espana will start his season tomorrow with the 16km Individual Time Trial from Benicassim to Oropesa del Mar.

Then the Spanish race presents a varied route with the uphill finish to Alto de Fredes (a 16km climb with an average gradient of 4.5%, maximum of 12%) in the second stage. The third stage, with a finish in Alzira, is for sprinters, while the overall standings probably will be decided in the penultimate stage, presenting the ascent of Xorret de Cati. The finale is again for the sprinters, with the fifth and final stage passing through the spectacular old city of Valencia.

“I’m looking forward to start this 2016 season!” said Fabio Aru while travelling to Valencia.

“My winter training has been very good and I’m satisfied for my condition," continued the Italian captain of the Astana Pro Team." Valenciana will be my first race of the 2016 so let’s see how the race will evolve day by day.”

The Astana Pro Team for the Volta a al Comunitat Valenciana is composed by:

Alexey Lutsenko, Paolo Tiralongo, Arman Kamyshev, Fabio Aru, Luis Leon Sanchez, Davide Malacarne, Dario Cataldo and Diego Rosa