Vuelta a Espana | Intermarché - Wanty with Louis Meintjes in the lead and focus on stage wins

Intermarché - Wanty have had a wildly successful Tour de France with multiple stage wins and a green jersey for Biniam Girmay. Replicating this at the Vuelta a España would be a mammoth task; the Belgian team announce a lineup focused on fighting for a result in the overall classification but also prioritize stage wins.

“We have set ourselves the same objective as for our historic Tour de France. We are aiming for a stage victory and a top 10 finish in the general classification with Louis Meintjes," performance manager Aike Visbeek said in a press release. "This edition of La Vuelta is particularly demanding with a significant amount of climbing. That’s why we have put together a selection mainly focused on our climbers.” The South African didn't manage to achieve this at the Grand Boucle this year in but in Spain finds a more modest startlist and a more fitting route with more pure climbing and less time-trialing.

“Louis Meintjes finished the Tour de France very strongly, gaining momentum in the third week. We hope he continues his progression and reaches the top 10 of the final classification. Lorenzo Rota, Kobe Goossens and Rein Taaramäe are three riders capable of achieving a stage victory, on the offensive on the many hilly profiles.” The many hilly days provide plenty opportunities for breakaways and the team will deposit it's main hopes there - however, Meintjes has won a stage and conquered the KOM classification earlier in the year at the Itzulia Basque Country which provides hopes that he may do the same without hindering his prime ambition.

Intermarché is one of the few teams also puitting some focus in the sprints and will be supporting Arne Marit: “For the sprints, we will play the Arne Marit card. We are delighted that he is back to his level after a long injury. Tom Paquot and Simone Petilli are the valuable support riders. Simone brings his experience while Tom is one of our two Belgian newcomers in a Grand Tour, with Vito Braet. Vito is evolving to become an important support rider for the team. He is ready for the next step in his career, in the event of a bunch sprint with a difficult profile for Arne, we have another card to play with Vito. Our two newcomers will lead Arne Marit for our all-Belgian sprint train," Visbeek explained.

Intermarché - Wanty for Vuelta a España:

Vito Braet
Kobe Goossens
Arne Marit
Louis Meintjes
Tom Paquot
Simone Petilli
Lorenzo Rota
Rein Taaramë