Team Giant-Alpecin returns to the warmer climates of Spain next week, following a cold and wet past few days in Italy and France, with the seven-day WorldTour Volta Ciclista a Catalunya starting on Monday.

In 2014, Luka Mezgec (SLO) took a trio of stage wins here, and the Slovenia sprinter returns again this year but his form lies in the unknown after pulling out of Tirreno-Adriatico on the penultimate stage. 

Warren Barguil (FRA) is another rider heading into the race with a slight shadow over his shape at the race, depending on how well he recovers from his fall at Paris-Nice. All being well he will be looking to challenge for a strong position overall, and on the tougher uphill stages.

"The plan ahead of this past weekend was to go for the sprints with Luka and challenge for the GC with Warren but after both suffered at Tirreno and Paris-Nice we will assess our goals depending on how they recover this week," explained coach Addy Engels.

"There are opportunities for these two but also to go on the offensive so even if one of the two isn't fully recovered by the race we will have different options. It will also be good to see Lawson [Craddock] return to racing here."

The line-up is completed by road captain Johannes Fröhlinger (GER), Carter Jones (USA), Daan Olivier (NED) and Georg Preidler (AUT) who will provide strong support in the hills as well as on the flats with Tom Stamsnijder (NED).