Vuelta list press release

Spanish press have released details of what is largely considered the definitive list of teams to participate in this year's Vuelta a España.

Spanish sports daily Marca reports that the decision over teams has been finalised and of the 22 teams, 16 have earned automatic places on the startline in Sevilla on August 29 due to the agreement signed with race organiser Unipublic in 2008.

These squads are Caisse d'Epargne, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Footon-Servetto, HTC-Columbia, Liquigas-Doimo, Astana, Rabobank, Omega Pharma-Lotto, Cofidis, Lampre-Farnese Vini, Quick Step, Team Milram, Saxo Bank, AG2R-La Mondiale, Française des Jeux and Bbox Bouygues Telecom.

Spanish Professional Continental teams Xacobeo-Galicia and Andalucia-Cajasur have reportedly gained invitations, as has Team RadioShack, although it's highly unlikely that Lance Armstrong will be riding the Spanish Grand Tour due to his focus on the Tour de France next month.

That leaves three places on offer, one of which will likely be allocated to Cervélo TestTeam, subject to whether its Spanish Grand Tour veteran, Carlos Sastre, will be taking part. He rode last month's Giro d'Italia and his participation in the Tour de France is currently in doubt. If he doesn't start in Rotterdam on July 8 it's likely he'll compete on home turf.

Marca speculates that BMC Racing won't be invited as current road world champion Cadel Evans will ride the Tour de France and not the Vuelta, the race in which he finished third overall last year.

Meanwhile, ProTour squads Team Katusha and Garmin-Transitions, plus Professional Continental teams Vacansoleil, Skil-Shimano and Acqua e Sapone appear to have missed out on invitations; the absence of the American outfit unusual due to it boasting two stage winners in last year's edition - David Millar and Ryder Hesjedal.

One rider definitely missing will be defending champion Alejandro Valverde, the Spaniard having been banned from competition recently. He won't be eligible to participate in the race until 2012, when the sanction ends.