The five-time stage winner of the Vuelta a España John Degenkolb is ready to once again take part in the Spanish race. Giant-Shimano is going to Spain with Warren Barguil as well, who I looking after a placement in the top 15.

The German sprinter took part in the Tour de France as helper for his fellow countryman Marcel Kittel, which was quite a success for the team as the team won 4 stages in the race. According to the German himself he is very motivated for the race.

"I'm really motivated for the Vuelta and have prepared well for it. The week after the Tour I did some criteriums before taking some holiday then starting training again,” Degenkolb said.

"We started with long rides then built up the intensity. Restarting after five days off feels very strange but every day I have felt my shape getting better.”

"Together with Johannes [Fröhlinger] and Koen [De Kort] I can help to bring experience to the younger guys in the team here and help them to develop. Not just with bottles and positioning but also on what breaks to go with and tips outside of the race too. We have a strong team here and should have a good race,” Degenkolb finished.

Another German of the team Nikias Arndt looks forward to be in Spain with John Degenkolb. He will be helping him and hopes to get his own chance as well.

"If I look back to last year's Vuelta I know that I have taken a step forward and am at a higher level. I am looking forward to racing again for three weeks and continuing to progress and racing to get the best results we can as a team,” Arndt said.

"I have been looking forward to this race for a while, and I think that we have a good team here.”

"My preparation has been good - I had a perfect high-altitude training camp with the team for three weeks in France followed by a hard week of racing in Poland. I already felt strong racing there and have continued to build for this race.”

"The progress I have made in getting over the climbs should help me in being present on the harder stages to help John or even to take my own opportunities if the situation arises,” Arndt finished.