Denis Menchov will ride the Vuelta a Espana for Rabobank, but what then?
Denis Menchov will headline Rabobank's team at the Vuelta a Espana, but it will likely be his last grand tour in Rabo colors
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Rabobank will be bringing a strong team to Sevilla for the start of the 2010 Vuelta a España.
Headlining the Dutch outfit will be two-time winner Denis Menchov, who is likely riding his final grand tour in a Rabobank kit.
Menchov, third overall at the 2010 Tour de France, said he will be making a decision about his future by the end of next week. The Russian is said to be entertaining offers from Katusha and Astana.
The Russian won the Vuelta in 2005 following the disqualification of Roberto Heras in 2005 and came back to win it outright in 2007. If he’s motivated, Menchov will be a five-star favorite for overall victory.
Joining him will be three-time world champion Oscar Freire, who be looking to hone his form going into the world championships in Australian in October. Freire was not much of a factor during the Tour, but can be counted on to be active in sprint stages and look for a stage victory.
Rounding out the team are stage-hunters Mauricio Ardila, Juanma Garate and promising rider Laurens ten Dam.
Rabobank for Vuelta a España
Denis Menchov (Rus)
Oscar Freire (Spa)
Mauricio Ardila (Col)
Laurens ten Dem (Ned)
Juanma Garate (Spa)
Dimitriy Kozontchuk (Rus)
Sebastian Langeveld (Ned)
Grischa Niermann (Ger)
Nick Nuyens (Bel)