The reigning Giro d’Italia champion, Vincenzo Nibali will kick off his 2014 season and make his debut on the Argentinian roads. In order to train to his primary goal of the season, Tour de France, he will be driving the Tour de San Luis, which starts on the 19th of January and the last stage will be driven on the 26th og January.  

Astana General Manager Alexander Vinokourov has thought about whether or not Nibali also will be participating in the Giro d’Italia. But the Tour de France is too important for the team and Nibali himself, so the Giro is now excluded.

Instead of Nibali as captain in the Giro, the team has chosen former Giro winner Michele Scarponi as their leader. He will be going for a podium place, while young Italian Fabio Aru will have the white jersey as his target.

“The objective of the Tour de France is too important for us,” says Alexander Vinokourov. “But at the Giro we will line up an ambitious team, with Michele Scarponi, who is determined to capture the final podium, and Fabio Aru, who could take the white jersey for the best young rider as he gains some important experience for the future.”

Vincenzo Nibali is happy about competing in the Tour de San Luis once again. The only difference from last year, is that the target of competing in San Luis is the Tour de France instead of the Giro.

"The start of our 2014 calendar begins at the Tour de San Luis in Argentina, it's a remarkable race in January” said Vincenzo Nibali “the weather is dry and sunny, the fans are friendly and the level of competition is among the best in the world. We came last year to prepare for the Giro d'Italia and found success, and we are coming this year to prepare for the Tour de France with the same ambitions."

The Astana team will line up with almost the strongest possible roster. Nibali will be the captain for the race and he will be supported by former Giro winner Michele Scarponi, former Euskaltel rider Mikel Landa, former National champion Tanel Kangert, Vuelta stage winner Fredrik Kessiakoff and Italian Alessandro Vanotti.

"Nibali, Scarponi, Landa, Kangert, Kessiakoff, Vanotti - these are our riders for the Tour de San Luis and each one is a great champion. When they take the start in Argentina they begin 2014 in the best possible fashion, because the organizers have built a race that is challenging, exciting and among the most fan-friendly in the world," Sport director Gorazd Stangelj said.

Astana lineup for Tour de San Luis: Vincenzo Nibali, Frederik Kessiakoff, Tanel Kangert, Mikel Landa, Michele Scarponi and Alessandro Vanotti.