• Vuelta a Espana

Wiggins returns for Vuelta a Espana

Bradley Wiggins' Tour de France was ended through injury © PA Photos

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Bradley Wiggins will return to cycling in the Vuelta a Espana, after he was named in Team Sky's nine-man lineup for the event.

Wiggins broke his collarbone in the Tour de France last month, forcing him to abandon the grand tour in the early stages after initially being considered a strong contender for a podium finish in the general classification.

Now recovered and ready to return to the bike, Wiggins is looking forward to competing in what will be his first ride around Spain.

"I'm looking forward to making my return at the Vuelta a Espana. It's a race I haven't ridden before so it'll be exciting to take part in and I want to produce a strong performance for all those people who have supported me since my crash at the Tour de France," Wiggins said.

"The level of encouragement I've received has been overwhelming and I'd like to do everyone proud. I have a great team here to support me and it should be a really exciting three weeks of racing."

All-rounders Chris Froome and Ian Stannard are the other British riders in the team. Wiggins will also be supported by Swede Thomas Lofkvist, the Italian pair of Dario Cioni and Morris Possoni and Spaniard Xabier Zandio in his bid for the general classification. Australian Chris Sutton and Norwegian Kurt-Asle Arvesen are Sky's main sprint threats.

Team Sky general manager Dave Brailsford is confident the squad selected can help build on what was generally a successful Tour de France for the team, thanks mainly to the performances of Edvald Boasson Hagen, Geraint Thomas and Ben Swift.

However, he warned that Wiggins' condition will have to be monitored and he may not last the whole tour.

"Everyone was pleased with the team's performance at the Tour de France and we will be looking to continue racing in the same way at the Vuelta a Espana," Brailsford said. "Having Bradley back has reinvigorated us all.

"He will lead the team and has recovered and trained well since his operation, but the fact he hasn't been able to race for seven weeks means we will have to take things day by day."

The Vuelta a Espana begins in Benidorm on August 20, and finishes in Madrid on September 11.

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