The contenders – Chris Froome (Team Sky)

Injury may have ruled him out of Tirreno-Adriatico but no sooner had the ‘Race of the Two Seas’ begun, Chris Froome was back in the saddle training for the Volta. Through Rigoberto Uran, twice, and last year Sir Bradley Wiggins, Sky have enjoyed top-ten finishes in the last three years of this race and Froome could well better it if he is fully over his injury. His ascent of Green Mountain won him the Tour of Oman, and he will certainly be a contender on Vallter 2000 and ascending the La Molina.

Froome’s climbing ability, as he showed last season, is second to none and furthermore he is likely to be backed by a fiercely strong Sky team in Spain. Wiggins was due to take part but will instead undergo a training block ahead of Paris-Roubaix, however Mikel Nieve – 13th last year – is among the options in Sky’s support squad. If Froome’s confidence in his recovery from injury is misplaced, there will certainly be no shortage of potential team leaders. But with keen ambitions to better his phenomenal 2013 season, Froome will undoubtedly be the man to beat once more.