Early season European races keep adding top names to their start lists as the 2008 campaign nears closer to opening.

Spain’s Vuelta a Murcia, a longtime favorite for Tour de France challengers to kick-start their respective season, will once again see its fair share of marquee riders in 2008.

Euskaltel-Euskadi announced this week that Vuelta a España podium man Samuel Sánchez and top-10 Tour de France finisher Mikel Astarloza will both be among the starters for the orange-clad Basques.

With the addition of Sánchez, the top-three podium from the 2007 Vuelta is assured for the Murcia race, set for March 5-9. Defending Vuelta champ Denis Menchov (Rabobank) and runner-up Carlos Sastre (CSC) are also expected to start.

Others slated to start include Alejandro Valverde and Vladimir Karpets (Caisse d’Epargne) and Stefano Garzelli (Acqua e Sapone), organizers said.