Like many other Vuelta contenders, Sergio Pardilla will fine-tune his condition for the Spanish grand tour in the Vuelta Burgos which starts tomorrow. While emphasizing that his main goal remains the Vuelta, the Spaniard hopes to take a good result in one of his favourite races.

Starting on Wednesday, Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will compete in the Vuelta a Burgos. This 5 day tour is the last big race in Spain before the Vuelta a Espana. The timing of the event makes it a key appointment for all those hoping to do well at the final grand tour of the year. This years Giro d’ Italia winner and Vuelta a Espana favourite Nairo Quintana (Movistar) is expected on the start line.

Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will send a strong lineup to the Vuelta a Burgos with Spaniard Sergio Pardilla ready to lead the team in his home country. Backing Pardilla is a team of talented climbers, perfectly suited to the parcours of the Vuelta a Burgos. Linus Gerdemann, Jacques Janse van Rensburg, Dennis van Niekerk, Daniel Teklehaimanot, Tsgabu Grmay, Adrien Niyonshuti and Youcef Reguigui are the riders who complete the Vuelta a Burgos roster.

"Vuelta a Burgos has for last number of years, always been the last test before the Vuelta a España for many riders," Director Sportif Manel Lacambra said. "At the start we will find some of our big rivals for the Vuelta like Quintana. For us this race will be the final preparation for the Vuelta. We did an excellent high altitude training camp the past two weeks and now it is time to test our form and finalize our preparation.

"Of course we will try to have a good result but the principal goal is the Vuelta. Without having many recovery days after the hard work at altitude, we did some test race already in Denmark and in London and the results were very positive. We will see what our riders, specifically our climbers, will do in Burgos but I am very confident that we are in the good line of work to reach our next goals."

"The Vuelta a Burgos is one of my favourite races," Pardilla said. "It will be my 5th appearance at this race and I have good memories from this race where I have done well before. This year though my goal is the Vuelta, it is my main focus and so at Burgos I will try to adjust my fitness for the Vuelta. We will see though if I am able to get a good result this week."

Vuelta a Burgos (Spain) – (13-17 August/UCI 2.HC)

Sergio Pardilla (ESP)
Linus Gerdemann (GER)
Jacques Janse van Rensburg (RSA)
Dennis van Niekerk (RSA)
Daniel Teklehaimanot (ERI)
Tsgabu Grmay (ETH)
Youcef Reguigui (ALG)