21 teams will participate. Between them, 7 UCI World Teams, and all the spanish teams.
Astana Qazaqstan Team has confirmed that his star, Miguel Ángel López, will participate in the 42nd Vuelta Ciclista a la Región de Murcia. He will take the place of David de la Cruz.
Matteo Trentin is another star that has recently announced his participation. He will complete a very strong line-up for UAE Team Emirates. Brandon McNulty and Joel Suter, who shine in the Challenge de Mallorca, will be the spearheads of an Emirati team with a lot of alternatives.
Another rider that won in the Balear Islands that will take part is Biniam Ghirmai, for Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux. The Eritrean rider won the Trofeo Alcúdia, and is the current runner-up in the U23 World Championships. Alongside him will be Jan Bakelants. The Belgian rider has won a Tour de France stage, and has worn the yellow jersey of the Grande Bouclé.
Rubén Fernández is one of the murcian riders that will participate this Saturday. Therefore, Cofidis will be headed by Jesús Herrada and Davide Cimolai. Two riders that has already shown they adapt perfectly to the mid-mountain terrain, and are two of the favourites of the race.
Other roders with great chances of winning and with international recognition are Félix Großschartner, Warren Barguil, Lorenzo Fortunato, Giovanni Visconti and Ben King. Between them, they have victories in the three Grand Tours (Giro, Tour and Vuelta), and ideal characteristics for the finish of the race, which will link the Alto del Cedacero with Cartagena.
Unfortunately, Alejandro Valverde will not participate in his home race his last year as a profesional rider. Due to the positives within the team in last week’s Vuelta a la Comunidad Valenciana, Movistar Team has decided not to lineup any of the riders who participate.
In this way, the responsibility of the team is left in the hands of the young riders. The pupil of 'El Bala', Vinicius Rangel, and Abner Gonzalez will take over from the local rider and Cortina to look for a great result in Cartagena.
Another point of interest for the team will be the possible replay of the duel between Imanol Erviti and Nils Politt. The two riders played each other in the 12th stage of the last Tour de France. On that occasion, it was the German who came out on top.
In addition to Valverde's absence, Rubén Fernández and José María García, who is suffering from physical problems, are also absent. Antonio Jesús Soto, who defended his victory in the race, and Miguel Ángel Ballesteros are the riders from the region confirmed for Saturday.
