Movistar with multiple cards to play! Vuelta lineup packed with climbers and stage hunters

Vuelta team announcements are pouring in on Monday, and the latest comes from Movistar. The Spanish team will rely on former winner Nairo Quintana and Enric Mas. Also included in the lineup is Einer Rubio, who finished seventh in the Giro d'Italia, along with several dangerous stage hunters.

Although the team didn’t explicitly state their ambitions in the press release, we can make some educated guesses. Mas will likely focus on the general classification, aiming to bounce back after a disappointing Tour de France. The climber, who has previously finished second in the Vuelta three times, will undoubtedly want to redeem himself. Quintana might also pursue the overall classification, but it's been a while since he last contended for the top spots.

There's also a third contender for the overall win: Rubio. The Colombian pocket climber finished in the top ten of a Grand Tour for the first time this year. However, Rubio can also act as a stage hunter, as he demonstrated in last year’s Giro. Pelayo Sanchez, an aggressive puncheur, followed in his footsteps this year and will have plenty of opportunities in the Vuelta to go for another big win. The third and final stage hunter for Movistar is Oier Lazkano, who is beginning his second Grand Tour of the year with the Vuelta. He frequently showed his strength in the Tour, though without success.

The team is rounded out by Jorge Arcas, Nelson Oliveira, and 23-year-old Carlos Canal. Arcas is expected to support the team leaders in the mountains for as long as possible. Oliveira, the experienced all-rounder, will take on the role of road captain and will also have his eye on the opening time trial, which takes place in his home country. The young Canal, like Oliveira, is an all-rounder and will be able to assist the team across various terrains.

Selection Vuelta a España Movistar

Enric Mas
Nairo Quintana
Einer Rubio
Carlos Canal
Nelson Oliveira
Jorge Arcas
Oier Lazkano
Pelayo Sanchez