Vincenzo Nibali to race Vuelta a España, reveals Spanish preparation schedule

Vincenzo Nibali has returned to a high level in surprising fashion at the Giro d'Italia, riding into a strong fourth place in the final classification, and will be looking to replicate that performance at the Vuelta a España later this year.

In anticipation to the Spanish race, Nibali will be getting familiarized with the roads of the country as, after completing his current altitude camp in Livigno, he will be racing several events: Prueba Villafranca in 25th July, Vuelta Castilla y Leon in the 27th and 28th of July and Clásica San Sebastián in the 30th of July. This will come right before the Vuelta a Burgos which he's also set to take part in, from the 2nd to 6th of August.

The Vuelta a España will feature a mixed route, with a lot of hilly stages and a wide variety of mountainous days which can make for some unexpected racing, to be started on the 19th of August. This will be Nibali's 27th and final Grand Tour of his career.

In the finale of the season he's set to race Il Lombardia, which he conquered in 2015 and 2017, likely as the last race of the 'Shark of Messina' in the peloton after 18 seasons as a pro cyclist.