Bahrain Merida and BMC Racing announced their lineups for the final Grand Tour of the season the Spanish Vuelta. Vincenzo Nibali and Richie Porte would be the leaders of their teams. Richie Porte was in an accident in the ninth stage of the Tour de France, and the Sicilian shark encountered a fan on the last kilometers of the climb to the Alpes-D'Huez receiving a fractured vertebrae. For both racers the Vuelta will be the first race after the Tour.

Richie Porte in the pre-start interview noted that after he spent time without training, and now he has not his best condition. He he sets the goal of fighting for individual stages, going the race day after day and watching his fortunes. Also, the Australian noted that the role of the Vuelta is an opportunity to prepare well for the World Championship, which will be held in Austria and is suitable for mountain riders.

Vincenzo Nibali, who by the way, received the first starting number from the organizers, noted that he would consider the race successful if he could win one or more stages. The rider believes that, given the ongoing recovery process, it will be difficult for him to fight for victory in the general classification.