The 2021 Vuelta a España has a star-studded cast of contenders. We take a look at three of the likeliest eventual champions:

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Egan Bernal - Ineos

Featherweight Colombian climber Bernal has nothing to prove after winning both the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia and at 24-years-old will become the youngest ever champion of all three Grand Tours if he succeeds in Spain. His third week blip at the Giro in May could have been down to Covid, and doubts still linger about his back. But Bernal is racing with a smile, and has the makings of a real Inoes support team around him now, unlike in 2020.

Primoz Roglic - Jumbo-Visma

Easily the most powerful athlete on the start list Roglic is a two-time defending champion. He also has a strong team of climbers around him for the mountainous route and on paper is the best time-triallist, having won the Olympic gold medal on Mount Fuji. But after his 2020 Tour de France meltdown, which handed the title to countryman Tadej Pogacar, an eternal question mark will hang over him. Fell heavily at the Tour de France and pulled out, remains to be seen what he has in the tank.

Mikel Landa - Bahrain Victorious

Ran a close fourth at the 2020 Tour de France and recently won the Tour of Burgos. Landa has been a nearly man most of his career with stints with Sky, Movistar and Astana. A good climber and solid roller, he may finally have found the right team to get him over the line first should anything happen to Bernal and Roglic. A nasty fall at the Giro means he hasn't raced much this season and at 31 should be in prime form for his home Tour.