Last year Warren Barguil was the big revelation of the Vuelta a Espana when the French youngster won two stages. This year he is back with an eye on the GC and targets a spot in the top 15.

After winning two stages with uphill finishes at the 2013 Vuelta a España, Warren Barguil, 22, is back with high ambitions for the overall classification. He’ll share the captaincy at Giant-Shimano with top sprinter John Degenkolb who is also back in Spain after winning five stages two years ago.

“I was disappointed to not make the cut for the Tour de France”, Barguil explained. “But I understood the message from my team manager Iwan Spekenbrink. I’m still young and he believes I’d better go for the Vuelta again before riding the Tour. He also wanted to focus on sprints exclusively at the Tour with Marcel Kittel and John Degenkolb. Therefore I’ve had the Vuelta in mind for two months already. My best memories in cycling stand with this race. This time I aim at making the top 15 overall. The level is exceptional this year.”

The Frenchman who is from the same generation as Thibaut Pinot – also back in action at the Vuelta – and Romain Bardet is not exactly considered a hot favorite of the 69th Vuelta a España but he earned the respect of the older riders when he won at Casteldefells and Formigal by beating experienced pros like Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R-La Mondiale), Bauke Mollema (Belkin) and Rigoberto Uran (OPQS).

He geared up for the Vuelta at the Tour de Pologne when he finished 14th overall at 2.13 after losing 1.30 in the time trial from eventual winner Rafal Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo). The Breton rider was reported to being very strong in the mountains.

“I had good legs in Poland even though I wasn’t in my top form yet”, Barguil said. “Since then, I’ve been to the Pyrenees, firstly to rest, secondly to work on my pedaling style in the mountains. I rode up the Tourmalet twice the same day and I climbed to Hautacam.

"Compared to one year ago, I’ve become stronger in the hills. My SRM data show it. I also realized it when I accompanied the best climbers at the Volta Catalunya in March.

"A Grand Tour is another story because it’s about recovering and handling the efforts but I’m confident ahead of the Vuelta. I’ll ride for GC but after the first rest day, if for some reasons, I’m not up there, I’ll change my goal and go for a stage win.”