Nibali to start his season in San Luis

For the sixth time in his career, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) will start his season in the Tour de San Luis (January 18-24) next year. The goal is to prepare for another great grand tour season after finishing fourth in the Tour France, being expelled from the Vuelta a Espana after the second stage and ending the year by winning Il Lombardia.

Nibali chose the Argentine race as his first event in 2009, 2010 when he won, 2012 when he was fourth, 2013 and 2014. It's a start that brings good memories as he won the Vuelta in 2010, the Giro in 2013 and the Tour in 2014. 

In 2016, Nibali debut in Argentina, with the intention of returning to the path of success in thebig stage races. "After a year's absence, I'm happy to return to San Luis," explains the leader of the Astana team. "It's a race that I am very attached to and that brings me good memories, such as the victory in 2010."

"It will be my first race of the year," explains the Italian, "and I will be fine, although I am aware that the opponents will have a high level, which will make the test even more spectacular and hard."

Although his main goal will be the Giro d'Italia, Nibali still does not know his racing program. It is not ruled out that he will do the Tour in support of Aru while preparing the Rio Olympic Games whose couse is perfectly suited to his characteristics. What is certain is that San Luis will be his first race. "I'll arrive a few days earlier to train," sayd the leader of Astana. "The roads, the weather in the Argentinean summer and the San Luis atmosphere make it an ideal place to start the season," he adds.

Nairo Quintana, Peter Sagan, Rafal Majka, Fernando Gaviria, Tom Boonen, Andrew Talansky and Alexis Vuillermoz are all expected to do the race which will have a team time trial and two summit finishes.

Dani Diaz won the 2015 ahead of Torres and Quintana.The Movistar Colombiam won in 2014. Diaz won for the first time in 2013, Levi Leipheimer took the victory in 2012 and Vincenzo Nibali in 2010.