Vincenzo Nibali confirms participation in La Vuelta

Nibali crashed at the 12th stage of the 2018 Tour de France and broke a vertebra, but after a surgery and rehabilitation, he's ready to return to racing

Nibali has returned to training in the mountains, and confirmed he will participate in the Tour of Spain which starts in less than two weeks. Nibali won the Vielta in 2010 and came second twice in 2013, 2017.

Nibali has no overall ambitions, but is using the Vuelta as build-up to the Innsbruck World Championships, where he will be among the favourites for the rainbow jersey on an especially demanding course. 

Bahrain-Merida’s team for the Vuelta will be led by Ion and Gorka Izagirre.

"Yes, I will ride the Vuelta," said the Italian to the press, "My ticket to the departure of Malaga has already been booked. I will fly to Spain on the 22nd of August."