World Tour teams to Tour de San Luis

According to biciciclismo twelve World Tour teams have decided to target the Argentina’s Tour de San Luis.

The race, which was held for the first time in 2007, normally consists of an individual time trial and a mix of six mountain and flat stages. Most of its winners are Argentinian, but it has become more popular in the last few years, as Nibali’s win in 2010, and Leipheimer’s in 2012, witness.

Due to its warm conditions, and diverse type of stages the race has become increasingly popular, and last year Contador, Nibali, Rodriquez and Van Garderen all chose to compete to test themselves and the other contestants. On the flat stages Cavendish, Modolo and Gavazzi enjoyed the season’s first victories.

According to biciciclism the twelve teams are: Astana, AG2R La Mondiale, BMC Racing Team, Cannondale Pro Cycling, Garmin -Sharp, Katusha, Lampre-Merida, Lotto-Belisol, Movistar, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, Orica-Greenedge and Trek Factory Racing.

It is rumored that Cavendish and Sagan will show; conversely has Contador already stated that he will skip the Argentinian Tour.

Additionally Giocattoli Androni-Venezuela, Bretagne-Seche Environnement, Team Colombia, Team Novo Nordisk,  Unitedhealthcare Pro Cycling Team, as well as several Continental teams, have been invited.

Tour de San Luis is not only important to the professional riders. For most fans it also marks some of the first quality riding of the coming season, and since 2011 it has been possible to follow the race from live video streams on the internet.