2016 Vuelta a Burgos overview
The Vuelta a Burgos provides a perfect warm-up for the Vuelta a España, coming as it does little more than two weeks from the start of the third and final Grand Tour of the season. The race in northern Spain traditionally offers a taster of what is to come at the Vuelta.
Although last year's winner Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) is absent, there is still a sprinkling of stars on the start list, with Mikel Landa (Sky) – fresh from fourth place at the Tour de France and a starring role at the Clasica San Sebastian – expected to be to the fore. The Basque is joined in a strong Sky squad by Pete Kennaugh and Kenny Elissonde.
As ever, Movistar bring a solid outfit, and the race will offer a gauge of Marc Soler's form ahead of his Vuelta a España debut later this month. Dani Moreno and Carlos Barbero are part of his Movistar team.
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Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) is another young talent building towards the Vuelta, while Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) is building form as he returns from injury. Igor Anton and Omar Fraile are part of an aggressive Dimension Data line-up, while Irish squad Aqua Blue Sport are on hand to fine-tune their preparations for their Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta. Sergio Pardilla (Caja Rural-RGA) impressed a year ago, and should be to the fore again.
The opening two stages should offer chances for fast finishers, with the uphill finish at Alto del Castillo providing a fitting finale to the opening day. Stage 3 sees the first mountaintop finish, with the 8.5-kilometre haul to Piccon Blanco. After another punchy finale on stage 4, the race concludes with the traditional, tough summit finish at Lagunas De Neila.
