Vuelta a Espana: Luke Rowe sole Brit in Team Sky squad

Welshman Luke Rowe is the only British rider selected for Team Sky's nine-strong Vuelta a Espana squad.

With Chris Froome only just back in action after his Tour de France win and Bradley Wiggins set to return to the track, Sergio Henao will lead the team.

Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen is included after recovering from fracturing his shoulder in July.

Rowe, 23, will be making his Grand Tour debut in the 21-stage race which begins on Saturday in Vilanova de Arousa.

His first appearance follows his victory in the first stage of last year's Tour of Britain.

Colombian Henao will be supported by his compatriot Rigoberto Uran, who finished second in this year's Giro d'Italia and is likely to be promoted to team leader if the need arises.

Belarussian Vasil Kiryienka, Italian Dario Cataldo, German Christian Knees, Italian Salvatore Puccio and Spaniard Xabier Zandio are the rest of the line-up.

"It's a testament to the strength and depth in this team that we can line up in all three Grand Tours this year with such strong squads," said team principal Sir David Brailsford.

"We've watched Sergio develop since he joined the team and this is a great opportunity for him to demonstrate what he is capable of on a big stage like the Vuelta."

Although Froome Wiggins' attempt to follow his 2012 success in the race with victory in the Giro failed as he was forced to withdraw with illness.

The 2012 Vuelta was won by Spain's Alberto Contador in his first Grand Tour race after serving a ban for doping.