Team Sky earlier today announced its Vuelta a Espana line-up spearheaded by Chris Froome. The 67th edition of the Vuelta a Espana - or Tour of Spain - starts in Pamplona on Saturday August 18.

Great Britain's Christopher Froome has been chosen by the team management to lead Team Sky in this year's Vuelta after he finished in the overall rankings of the 2012 Tour de France followed by a bronze medal-generating performance for Great Britain at the London Olympic Games earlier this month.

27-year-old Froome is hoping to improve upon his 2nd place finish in last year's Vuelta, where he finished one place ahead of teammate Bradley Wiggins who won this year's Tour de France.

Froome will be joined in an remarkably strong nine-man Team Sky squad by Juan Antonio Flecha, Sergio Henao, Danny Pate, Richie Porte, Ian Stannard, Ben Swift, Rigoberto Urán, and Xabier Zandio. Thus, Team Sky looks set to dominate this year's Vuelta in the same way they dominated and controlled this year's Tour. However, the team will be challenged by other strong riders including Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank's Alberto Contador who recently returned to competition after a doping ban.

"It's always been my plan to ride the Vuelta. I'll be going into the race as team leader but that's not to say we don't have other guys who can be right up there on the GC. Rigoberto and Sergio both have huge potential, and Richie is another guy who could shine," Froome told Roadcycling.com and our mobile partner site Roadcycling.mobi.

"I'm going to do the best job I can and do whatever's required of me from the team. Initially I'll be riding for the General Classification, but if one of my teammates shows that they're in a better place to win the race then I'll happily work for them. We're sending a first-rate squad and it should be a really exciting race."

Rigoberto Uran already has succeeded at adding a top 10 Grand Tour finish to his palmares earlier this season, winning the young rider's classification on his way to a career-best seventh overall in May's Giro d'Italia.

The Olympic road race silver medalist will provide key support to Froome in the mountains along with Colombian compatriot Sergio Henao, who has wrapped up podium positions in his two latest appearances for Team Sky Procycling. In addition to finishing on the podium of both the Vuelta a Burgos and the Tour de Pologne he also donned the Giro d'Italia's white jersey in a remarkable first season in the pro ranks.

Commenting on his expectations for this year's Vuelta a Espana Uran told Roadcycling.com "Froomey is looking in great form and I've also had a good preparation for this race, so I am excited to get started."

"The route is very mountainous and there are plenty of summit finishes which will suit mine and Froomey's styles. There should be plenty of chances to show what I can do and I'll also be there to help the team as much as possible," Uran added.

Australia's Richie Porte looks set to be another invaluable asset to Froome in the mountains, along with Spaniard Xabier Zandio, who brings great experience to his home Grand Tour.

Fellow Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha - riding his 17th Grand Tour - according to a team spokesman has all the qualities required of a road captain, with British national champion Ian Stannard and America's Danny Pate possessing significant horsepower to help the team on both the flats and climbs.

Ben Swift of Great Britain has been chosen for the role as the team's designated sprinter and apparently heads into the Vuelta in fine form having taken a brace of victories at the recent Tour de Pologne.

"I'm really excited about being the team's main sprinter. There should be plenty of opportunities for me and I'll be doing my best to get my first Grand Tour stage win," Swift explained to us at Roadcycling.com.

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com for complete coverage of the 2012 Vuelta a Espana including video highlights from all stages of the Vuelta 2012.