This year, Zabel was targeting a seventh consecutive green jersey but fell just short to Australian Robbie McEwen.

Their battle for the leading sprinter went to the final day of the Tour and the German has a lot to prove after coming second best.

The German is expected to feature on the winner's podium on a number of stages in the Vuelta

Before Zabel no rider had won more than five, and even then, Ireland's Sean Kelly did not won them consecutively.

The absence of McEwen does not mean Zabel will have an easy run in the stages.

He still remains the strongest on the more hilly sprint finishes but Mario Cipollini will certainly feature in the opening week.

Other opponents incluce world champion Oscar Freire.

But Zabel, cycling's Mr Consistency is still the favourite for the points win.

Zabel is also one of the nice guys of the circuit, and has his own personal museum at home - of all the bikes he has ridden to victory.