Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team will line up for La Vuelta a España 2026 with a clear objective: hunt stage wins, race aggressively and take every opportunity the race presents.

The eight riders selected for the 81st edition of La Vuelta are:

• Xabier Mikel Azparren
• David de la Cruz
• Walter Calzoni
• Marcel Camprubí
• Eddie Dunbar
• Thomas Gloag
• David Gonzalez
• Milan Vader

Starting in Monaco on Saturday, La Vuelta will complete the Team’s participation in all three Grand Tours in a single season for the first time in its history.

Across 21 stages and 3,275 kilometres from Monaco to Granada, the roster combines climbing strength, experience, youth and different options to make an impact across a demanding three weeks of racing.

With around 58,000 metres of climbing and numerous mountain stages already packed into the opening part of the race, Pinarello Q36.5 arrives without a single general classification objective dictating its approach.

Instead, the Team intends to race with freedom and purpose: identifying the stages that offer opportunities, putting riders into decisive moves and remaining present in the race as often as possible.

“It is a really tough Vuelta from the beginning. Even before the first rest day there are already several mountain stages, so I think quite early in the race we will have a clear picture of the riders fighting for the general classification.

“For us, the main goal is stage hunting. We want to win a stage, be visible and be part of the race on as many days as possible.

“There are obviously some mountain stages that will be more controlled by the GC riders, but outside those days there will be opportunities and we have to be ready to take them. As the race develops, particularly after the first rest day, I expect more possibilities to open up.

“That means reading the race well and choosing our moments. We have different riders who can be competitive from breakaways and on hard terrain, while David Gonzalez gives us an option when there is an opportunity for a sprint. We want to use the strengths of the whole roster and race aggressively.”

The roster brings together riders at very different points in their Grand Tour careers.

For Spanish veteran David de la Cruz, the opening individual time trial through Monaco will mark the start of his 20th Grand Tour, bringing extensive experience to a group built to adapt to the changing demands of three weeks of racing.

Spanish National Road Champion Marcel Camprubí heads into La Vuelta as one of the team's established young leaders. At 24 years of age and in his fourth season with the organisation, the Spaniard embodies the team's long-term commitment to developing talent and creating opportunities for riders to progress and perform on the biggest stage in cycling. As the reigning Spanish champion, fans and partners will have the opportunity to follow Marcel's journey across his home Grand Tour, from the opening stages in Monaco through to the final finish in Granada, carrying the national colours with pride on cycling's biggest Spanish stage.

Alongside them, Eddie Dunbar, Thomas Gloag, Milan Vader, Walter Calzoni and Xabier Mikel Azparren give the Team multiple options when the road goes uphill and when aggressive racing creates opportunities, while David Gonzalez adds speed for the faster finishes.

The 2026 La Vuelta begins with a 9.4-kilometre individual time trial through Monaco before heading towards Spain and a route featuring seven summit finishes, gravel and some of the country’s defining climbs.

For Pinarello Q36.5, however, the approach remains deliberately simple.

Three weeks. Eight riders. Twenty-one opportunities to read the race, choose the right moment and commit.

Race Sharp.