Movistar manager Eusebio Unzue believes that the route of the Vuelta a Espana "is maybe a bit repetitive" compared previous editions, but stressed that it has been proved that the format works and makes for "a nervous race without any decisive stages and that forces you to focused constantly.”

"It's maybe a bit repetitive, but it is the format of recent years and it is fortunate that it won’t be decided until we get to the last day. The sprinters will not be satisfied, but we have our terrain, especially in the Cantabrian and Northern stages where it will be very aggressive with many climbs and summit finishes" Unzue told the media at the presentation in Santiago de Compostela. The athletic director said the model chosen by organizers Unipublic "makes it very interesting to follow the race" and he does not rule out the presence of "the great rider.”

"As they say ‘Why I change it if it works well?’ There is a great individual time trial and an important team time trial also. The summit finishes guarantee excitement and with the accumulation of so much difficulty it will be important to be cool," he said. He has no doubt that the format will change "if one day it is rarded to be too hard."

"There are many possibilities but these days the number of fans shows what is best to do,” he said, making clear that even if "there are more or less summit finishes" "the best" will always be fighting for the win. "It's a very nervous race, not many decisive stages, but it forces you to keep the focus constantly,” continued Unzue, who recalled that "in principle" the idea is to start the race with Nairo Quintana. He doubts that Alejandro Valverde will be there as he has a heavy schedule.

Furthermore, he said that it would be "a good opportunity for young riders" like Ion Izaguirre and Ruben Fernandez “to take important steps” and learn from the Colombian captain. The Movistar Team manager believes that "he has the impression that the differences can be made on the Aubisque," but also that the individual time trial can be "vital".

"We must have the profile of the riders who will line up and are in form to contest the Vuelta until the penultimate stage," he said. He believes that the Rio Olympics will have a much small impact on the field than one can expect.

"As everyone talks about the toughness of the Olympic route, there are riders like Froome and Alberto (Contador) that have shown interest in one-day races and have that opportunity to win a medal at the Games," he said, "That has attratced the interest of all of them, but it will not prevent many of the favorites to go to the Vuelta after Brazil. The only prblem may be the time difference, but you can be in the Olympics and the Vuelta," he said. On the other hand, he regards it as "inevitable" that victory in the Tour de France “is the first and major objective for the team” for Nairo Quintana after two second places.

“He has what it takes but we have to see whether his rivals are stronger,” he said.