• Vuelta a Espana

Froome and Cavendish set for Vuelta

Mark Cavendish dislocated his shoulder on the first stage of the Tour de France © Getty Images

Enlarge

Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish have both been listed by race organisers to compete in the final Grand Tour of the season at the Vuelta a Espana.

Both men crashed out of the Tour de France, with Cavendish dislocating his shoulder on the final straight of the opening stage in Yorkshire while Froome's title defence ended on stage five when he fractured his wrist and hand.

It would be Cavendish's first appearance at the Vuelta since 2010 when he took three stage victories and won the points classification though he is still recovering from his high-speed crash.

Cavendish must first come through this month's Tour de l'Ain, a five-day stage race in eastern France starting on August 12.

"The Tour de l'Ain will be important to see where I am at with my training," said Cavendish, who will miss this weekend's Ride London classic.

"The rest of my programme will be decided 100% after Tour de l'Ain depending on how I feel during that race. Together with the team we will then discuss how to approach the rest of my season.

"Unfortunately I am not able to participate in the Ride London Classic, which is an amazing race. With the two races being so close together on the calendar, I need to focus on completing my specific block of training in Italy before returning to competition at the Tour de l'Ain."

Cavendish's Omega Pharma - Quick Step team have yet to confirm whether he will ride the Vuelta. If he is not fit enough for the three-week race, Cavendish could switch his attentions to the Tour of Britain.

Froome has reportedly been training in California since his early exit from the Tour de France, with his Team Sky general manager having already hinted he would compete at the Vuelta.

A strong line-up also features Nairo Quintana, who won his first Grand Tour title at the Giro d'Italia in June. Quintana will lead the Movistar team alongside Alejandro Valverde, who finished fourth at this year's Tour de France.

Alberto Contador, the 2008 and 2012 Vuelta champion as well as a two-time Tour de France winner, will not be competing, however. The Spaniard was another big name to abandon this year's Tour de France after fracturing his fibia in a crash at 48 mph at stage 10.

The race begins on August 23 with a team time trial in Jerez de la Frontera and ends in Santiago de Compostela on September 14.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd