Movistar enjoyed great success in this race last season thanks to Nairo Quintana and now it will be the turn of Alejandro Valverde to lead the world number one-ranked team. He has enjoyed a hugely successful start to the season, winning the Ruta del Sol thanks to three straight stage wins and following it with one-day success at the Vuelta Ciclista a Murcia and Roma Maxima. More than capable on the rolling terrain, the undulating nature of the route makes it ideal preparation for the Ardennes Classics for the 33-year-old.

Last year Valverde was unable to follow his Ruta del Sol victory with any major real major success – an ill-timed puncture effectively ended his Tour de France hopes while his third place at the Vuelta a Espana was overshadowed massively by Chris Horner and Vincenzo Nibali’s battle for supremacy. He is well-suited to the parcours awaiting in the Basque Country however and will enjoy the backing of a phenomenally strong team, including Benat Intxausti, Jose Joaquin Rojas and the Izagirre brothers, Gorka and Jon.