Caja Rural have finalized their roster for the biggest race on their calendar, the Vuelta a Espana, and will line up a team of attacker. While David Arroyo will focus on the GC, riders like Luis Leon Sanchez, Pello Bilbao and Amets Txurruka will animate the mountain stages and Francesco Lasca try his hand in the sprints.
As the only professional continental team from Spain, Caja Rural was always guaranteed to receive an invitaition for the Vuelta a Espana and the Spanish team will line up their A team for the grand tour. As always, the main goal is a stage win like the one Antonio Piedra achieved on Lagos de Covadonga to years ago.
The team will be led by Luis Leon Sanchez who has won numerous stages in the Tour de France but still hasn't claimed a victory in his home race. Having suffered from a virus in the early part of the year, he is now back in peak condition after having perfomed solidly in the recent Volta a Portugal. Known for his attacks in the mountains, the Spaniard will target a stage win.
The team's other big name is David Arroyo who will be focusing on the GC. The runner-up in the 2010 Giro will try to improve on last year's 13th place and proved his great form by finishing 4th in the Vuelta a Burgos queen stage.
Amets Txurruka and Pello Bilbao will provide the team with more options in the mountains. The latter has won lots of mountains jerseys in the past and may target the similar tunic in this race. Bilbao is knocking on the door for his big breakthrough after having finished in the top 10 in Burgos.
Antonio Piedra, Luis Mas and Javier Aramendia form another group of attackers that will try to shine in the flatter stages, with the latter having been named the most aggressive rider in last year's race. For the sprint stages, the team can count on Francesco Lasca who will be supported by the versatile Pole Karol Domagalski.
Caja Rural for the Vuelta a Espana:
Luis Leon Sanchez, David Arroyo, Amets Txurruka, Pello Bilbao, Antonio Piedra, Luis Mas, Javier Aramendia, Karol Domagalski and Francesco Lasca
Jose Jailson DINIZ 41 years | today |
Koya HASHIMOTO 19 years | today |
Damien CORTHESY 27 years | today |
Daniella MOONEN 47 years | today |
Ella SABO 19 years | today |
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