Alberto Contador didn't defend his 2012 Vuelta a Espana title this year but will be back in his home race for the 2014 edition. The Saxo-Tinkoff rider has announced via his Twitter account that he plans to race next year's edition of the grand tour.

Alberto Contador won the 2012 Vuelta a Espana and his home crowd had hoped to see him back in the Spanish grand tour to defend his title. Having been left fatigued by a disappointing Tour de France, he decided to skip his home race and instead put his focus on the world championships and Il Lombardia.

Today the Vuelta comes to its conclusion with the traditional flat stage into Madrid which passes through Contador's hometown of Pinto. Contador has used the opportunity to announce that he will target a third overall win in the race in 2014 following his 2008 and 2012 victories.

"Today @LaVuelta goes through my hometown,Pinto.This year I'm not there, but next yes!," he wrote on Twitter earlier today. The decision will please team manager Bjarne Riis who had done nothing to hide that he had preferred Contador to race this year's edition of the race.

Contador hasn't announced further races for the coming season but has made it clear that the Tour de France will once again be the centrepiece of his season.

Later today he will ride the GP de Montreal as his final preparation race for the world championships.