Team Sky has announced its lineup for the upcoming Vuelta a Espana, with Tour de France winner Chris Froome set to challenge for the year's final Grand Tour.

The 71st edition of the Spanish Grand Tour starts with a team time trial in Ourense this Saturday 20th August, before culminating with a sprinter-friendly stage in Madrid on Sunday 11th September.

Froome signing autographs at RideLondon at the end of July.
Froome signing autographs at RideLondon at the end of July.

Chris Froome leads Team Sky and will be looking to continue the momentum that has seen him claim a third Tour de France title, in addition to an Olympic bronze medal in the time trial this season.

Joining Froome will be a strong team including Ian Boswell, Michal Golas, Pete Kennaugh, Christian Knees, Michal Kwiatkowski, Mikel Landa, Salvatore Puccio and Leo Konig.

Parcours for the 2016 Vuelta a Espana
Parcours for the 2016 Vuelta a Espana
 

Looking ahead to the Vuelta, Chris Froome said: "It's already been a great summer for both myself and the team, but the Vuelta is another big challenge for us.

"The tough course and stiff competition is bound to make for some aggressive racing. We're going there with a strong group of guys who have a lot of experience with this race.

"The Vuelta is a race I really enjoy and where I guess you could say I have unfinished business, so I'm looking forward to getting started."

This will be Froome's fifth time riding the Vuelta, where he has twice finished runner-up in 2011 and 2014. Last year he was forced to withdraw after breaking his foot in a fall on stage 11.

Froome will face stiff competition, with rivals for the title including Spain's in-form Alberto Contador (Tinkoff), Nairo Quintana (Movistar), and Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL - Jumbo).

Awkward scenes at the launch as organisers realise they forgot to put any stages in the south or west of the country.
Awkward scenes at the launch as organisers realise they forgot to put any stages in the south or west of the country.

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