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Interesting: I had forgotten that detail. In that case I do hope they send the core of the Tour team at least, but whether they will be competitive or not is another matter.
What is the natter about the Vuelta? Contador is all but confirmed, Nibbles I imagine will sit it out. Aru didn't ride the Giro so I imagine he'll be there. Little Richie Porte? I'd imagine he'll go, and hopefully have a BMC built around him, rather than the confused BMC squad at the Tour. I think one of the key things you do if you want to win the Tour is go in with one defined leader. Both Movistar and BMC have foundered with the whole 'decide the leader on the road' malarky, and both teams with the resources to compete with Sky.
Jimmy_Fingers-
Contador will definitely ride. Movistar presumably will take Quintana, with Valverde surely sitting it out. Katusha will be all in for Rodriguez in his final Vuelta. Chaves will lead OGE with Simon Yates alongside him.
I'm not sure what BMC are doing, Porte's been racing since the TDU so it might be a step too far with him, and he was only on a one year deal so it may depend if he renews or goes elsewhere. No idea if Van Garderen will look to save his season there. FDJ will take Pinot by all accounts. Astana are giving Miguel Angel Lopez his first GT ride, so it'll be interesting to see how he fares (I think he's a future GT winner in the making). Aru may get sent as punishment with the goal of saving his season.
I think the start list will become clearer after the Olympics.
andyp
It's well established that Brailsford and Kerrigan believe that riding the Vuelta is a key component to winning the Tour the following year. Froome has only missed it in 2013 since he began winning GTs, and it was why Thomas rode it last year, despite having had a long season.
I think you can all but guarantee that Froome will be on the start line, whether he finishes or contends for the win is another matter.