Team Liquigas-Cannondale starts the 2011 Vuelta a Espana with two leaders: Peter Sagan and defending Vuelta a Espana champion Vincenzo Nibali.

The Liquigas-Cannondale team is ready to start the third and final Grand Tour of the 2011 season, the Vuelta a España, which kicks off with a team time trial in the Valencian coastal town of Benidorm on Saturday, 20th August.

Liquigas-Cannondale has selected its team line-up to tackle the demanding Spanish three week stage race. The team will be led by two of the most promising young riders in international cycling - Vincenzo Nibali and Peter Sagan.
Known as the "Shark of the Strait," Nibali is the defending Vuelta a Espana champion and will aim to repeat his overall Vuelta victory. Slovakian champion Sagan will focus on stage wins as his sprinter talent sees its Grand Tour debut.

"We know how strong we are and we're also aware of the expectations surrounding our team," sports director Mario Scirea told Roadcycling.com and Roadcycling.mobi and added "Nibali's race preparations at Passo San Pellegrino with our trainer Paolo Slongo went extremely well and in Poland he showed that his condition has clearly improved. We are certain he will be one of the main contenders."

Sagan is also in very good form but we must not forget that he is only 21-years-old and this is his first attempt at a three-week race. He needs to take the race one day at a time, without any pressure, but also be aware that his enormous talent can produce great rewards for the team," Scirea added.

"But our Spanish mission isn't just based on Vincenzo and Peter. Their seven teammates provide them with essential support and there is no reason why they shouldn't target a few stage wins of their own."

The riders who will support Sagan and Nibali in the 2011 Tour of Spain are Eros Capecchi, Valerio Agnoli, Damiano Caruso, Francesco Bellotti, Mauro Da Dalto, Alan Marangoni, and Dominik Nerz.

"This is class combination of climbers and rouleurs who can produce a guaranteed show of reliability. Our main strength will be that we all share the same goal. The Vuelta offers riders the chance to raise the bar and can be an important platform for launching a cyclist's career. This particularly applies to Capecchi who has already proved he can compete at the top level and we plan for him to work with Nibali in the battle for overall victory. We expect to see massive commitment from him and from everyone else on the team so we can try to repeat last year's incredible experience," Scirea concluded.

Watch video highlights from all stages of the 2011 Vuelta a Espana right here on Roadcycling.com.