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Road

Soler to mark return at Burgos

By Richard Tyler

published 4 August 2009

Geraint Thomas also coming back from injury

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Welshman Geraint Thomas(Image credit: Andrew Kennedy)

Mauricio Soler (Barloworld)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Mauricio Soler (Barloworld) on his own.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Barloworld's Chris Froome on his solo attempt to win the race.(Image credit: Gerry McManus)

Former winner of the Vuelta a Burgos, Juan Mauricio Soler, will return to the Spanish race that begins on Wednesday. The race will be the first for the Barloworld rider since abandoning the Giro d'Italia on May 25.

Broken bones for Thomas

Soler won the general classification of the Vuelta a Burgos in 2007 ahead of Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne). Soler's overall victory included a stage win at the top of the hors category Lagunas de Neila.

With this year's race finishing on top of the Lagunas de Neila on Sunday, Barloworld say they expect the final stage to test Soler's recovery from tendonitis in his knee.

South African Robbie Hunter will represent the team in the sprints on the opening three stages. Chris Froome and compatriot Geraint Thomas will also start for the team in Oña, Spain, on Wednesday.

Like Soler, Thomas' season has also been disrupted by injury. The Welshman returned at the Brixia Tour last week, after three months out with a broken wrist. He told WalesOnline last week that he hopes to have a strong finish to the season after what has been a tough year for the 23-year-old.

"I can feel the form coming," he said. "I've got the Tour of Britain and some one-day races as well. It’s been a frustrating year but I hope to finish it on a high. I want my first victory on the road as a pro and I hope to be selected for September’s world road championships in Switzerland."

The full Barloworld roster for the Vuelta a Burgos will be: Juan Mauricio Soler, Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas, Robbie Hunter, Patrick Calcagni, Felix Cardenas, Michele Merlo and Gianpaolo Cheula.