A month and a half before the start of the Tour de San Luis in Argentina, details of the full lineup have become clear. A total of five top ranked UCI ProTeams will take part in the 2.1-ranked event, including the Saxo Bank SunGard team, Movistar, Omega Pharma Quick Step, Ag2r La Mondiale and Liquigas Cannondale.
It was earlier reported that Alberto Contador would form part of the Saxo Bank team, CAS ruling permitting. Tom Boonen is also thought to be thinking of racing there, while many other big names may also opt to participate.
In addition to the ProTeams, the lineup will also include the Pro Continental outfits Team Andalucia, Androni Giocattoli, Cajan Rural, Farnese Vini, Netapp, and UnitedHealthcare. Continental squads include Tavira and Christina Watches, with the latter including Michael Rasmussen. Various national teams will also take part.
The race beings on January 23rd with a 188 kilometre race from San Luis to Justo Daract-Villa Mercedes. It concludes one week later in San Luis.
Tour de San Luis, Argentina:
Stage 1, January 23 : (188 kms.) San Luis – Justo Daract-Villa Mercedes (188 kms)
Stage 2, January 24: Fraga – El Volcan – La Florida – Potrero de los Funes – Juana Koslay (147 kms)
Stage 3, January 25 : Estancia Grande – La Florida – El Trapiche – Río Grande – Nogoli – San Luis – La Punta – Mirador Potrero. (165kms)
Stage 4, January 26 : Individual time trial in San Luis (19.5kms)
Stage 5, January7: La Toma – La Punilla – Costa de los Comechingones – Mirador del Sol, Merlo (160kms)
Stage 6, January 28 : Lujan – San Francisco – La Carolina – San Martín – Quines (197kms)
Stage 7, January 29:San Luis – El Volcan – El Trapiche – La Florida – San Luis (167kms)