"I thank Primoz Roglic for returning to the Vuelta a España" says race director Javier Guillén; Also hopes to see Remco Evenepoel return

With Giro d'Italia winner Primoz Roglic's announcement that he will return to the Vuelta a Espana later this year, race director, Javier Guillén has been quick to thank the Slovenian. Guillén also retains hope that Remco Evenepoel may return and attempt to defend his title.

"I thank Primoz for returning to the Vuelta a España," he told Eurosport. "He has won the race three times in a row and is therefore one of the most important riders in the history of the Vuelta. Last year he was knocked off course by a crash, so we will never know if he would have won for the fourth time. After his victory in the Giro, I expect him to be even stronger at the start."

On Evenepoel, the likelihood of the Belgian returning to Spain is up in the air at the moment. Soudal - Quick-Step boss Patrick Lefevere has expressed his desire that Evenepoel not go to the Vuelta, although reports suggest that the rider himself is keen.

"We don't have any information at the moment that he would come to the Vuelta, but we don't have any information at all yet," says Guillén. "So we have good hopes that he will come to the Vuelta." 

Also expected to be in the mix for the overall win is Juan Ayuso, the future of Spanish Grand Tour cycling. "Without taking anyone down: Spanish cycling has a potential winner in him," Guillén continues. "We are an international race, but it would be a great incentive. Juan is getting great results and I hope he will be ready this year."