Fantasy Vuelta a España Game has started!

The first provisional start list has been uploaded to the game site. You can start creating your Vuelta teams now. If you've not taken part already in this year's games you'll find it's a great way to follow the Grande Tours in more detail. Be a professional team manager for the 2007 Vuelta and create your own dream team from any of the real life riders in this year's race. Based on the live racing action, you will take up the challenge of using your knowledge and tactical skill as a race team manager to compete with other virtual managers from around the world. Follow the races live and use your skill and knowledge to win some great prizes.

Not sure who to pick? Manager Hansemann from Oslo, Norway won the 1st place runner-up prize last year (a pair of HED's Limited edition "Bastogne" wheelset and a pair of Maxxis Courchevel road tyres. Total value - US$884). Here's what he had to say about his selection strategy:

"Before the start of the Vuelta I did a lot of research into which riders that had done well in the last weeks. I also looked at last years results and studied the scoring system in detail to better know the distribution of riders (GC contenders or stage winners/sprinters). After the last 'free' stage I did my final team selection based on the above criteria and the results so far in the Giro. My team ended up with 8 overall contenders and 7 sprinters/stage hunters."

How to Choose your Mountains and Sprints Riders

If you are relatively new to the Grande Tours it can be a daunting prospect choosing your 15 riders. Fear not! The new ranking system can tell you some of the answers you need to know. Here's some direct links to last year's high scoring riders:

• Top 2006 Mountains Riders
• Top 2006 Sprinters
• Top 2006 Finishers
• Top 2006 Game Stage Points Riders

Go to the Top Pro Riders page and click on the "How to find top climbers/mountains and sprinters/points riders..." link at the top of the page to find out more.

Try the game for free!

Try the game out and see how best to play. It's easy to play the Grande Tour games - all you need to do is pick your dream team of 15 from the riders racing in this year's Vuelta start list. Then each day pick 9 riders to race for your fantasy team from these 15. You'll need a good combination of climbers, sprinters and general classification riders. For more details go to the rules section of the site. It's a great way to follow the Vuelta.

There's plenty time to join in the fun at this year's Fantasy Vuelta game at Cyclingnews . You can join until stage 4 begins on Tuesday 4th September.

Good luck from everyone at Fantasy Cyclingnews.com