Alternative big guns for Murcia

2004 winner Alejandro Valverde will miss this year's Murcia

2004 winner Alejandro Valverde will miss this year's Murcia (Image credit: AFP)

Spain's Vuelta a Murcia (Tour of Murcia), which starts today, has traditionally been the first stage race of the season for many top riders, with Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich both starting their preparation for the Tour de France last year in a race that was won by local hero Alejandro Valverde.

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