Chris Froome
Team Sky rider Chris Froome of Britain, the race leader's yellow jersey, celebrates his overall victory on the podium after the 109.5-km (68 miles) final 21st stage of the 102nd Tour de France cycling race from Sevres to Paris Champs-Elysees, France, July 26, 2015. REUTERS/Stephane Mantey/Pool

Chris Froome will lead Team Sky’s lineup for the Vuelta a España as the Tour de France champion looks on becoming the first British to win the Spanish race. Froome, who won his second Tour de France in Paris in July, confirmed earlier this month that he will participate in the Vuelta, but was unknown whether he would be targeting victory or playing as super-domestique.

Team Sky manager Dave Brailsford quickly moved on from the team’s unforgettable summer and realigned the team’s goals and focus ahead of the upcoming competitions. The 51-year-old British coach confirmed that Froome will lead the Sky in Puerto Banus with a strong squad that has the “right blend” of talent and experience.

“We’ve selected a strong squad for the Vuelta that has the right blend of talent and experience to support Chris Froome through the tough three weeks ahead,” Brailsford said, The Guardian reported.

Froome will attempt to join Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault in winning the Tour and Vuelta in the same year. Froome, who finished second behind Albreto Contador in last year’s Vuelta, said he was pleased to be back in the three-week Spanish race. After getting a good rest from a grueling Grand Tour, Froome claimed he is ready to face a tough challenge.

“The competition will be tough and this is bike racing so anything can happen, but we have an excellent team and we’re ready to get the race started,” Froome said, reports Eurosport.

The 30-year-old Froome will be assisted by Geraint Thomas and Nicolas Roche. He will also get help from Sergio Henao, Mikel Nieve, Vasil Kiryienka, Christian Knees, Ian Boswell, and Salvatore Puccio, who were not involved in this year’s Tour de France. Froome will face Giro d’Italia winner Nairo Quintana, 2014 Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali, and 2009 Vuelta winner Alejandro Valverde.

Meanwhile, Froome has begun a series of physiological tests from which he will share data to prove people can “trust” his achievements, according to BBC. Froome revealed he will be sharing testing and analysis results later in the year.

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