Britain and Ireland well represented in Vuelta

Five British and Irish riders are heading to Assen, Holland for the start of the Vuelta a Espana (29 August-20 September).

Cervélo Test Team pair Daniel Lloyd and Roger Hammond are on the roster; it is the latter's first ever Grand Tour, at the late age of 35.

It is a rather different story for David Millar - the Vuelta is his third Grand Tour this year alone. The Garmin man has previously voiced his concerns, complaining that Giro d'Italia selection was not part of his planned schedule.

Ireland also have two men on the start-line. After an eleventh-hour knee injury ruled Daniel Martin out of the Garmin Tour de France team, the Birmingham-born rider will be raring to show what he can do in the Spanish high mountains.

Joining Hammond and Lloyd on Cervélo Test Team is Irishman Phillip Deignan. The trio are all honing their form by riding the forthcoming Tour of Ireland (August 21-23).

The favourites for this year's overall competition are the brothers Schleck, Samuel Sanchez, Alejandro Valverde and Ivan Basso.

RELATED LINKS

2009 Vuelta route