Strava isn’t just for amateur riders looking to set a new personal best on a local segment – but for professional cyclists competing in the sport’s biggest races.

The ride-sharing app and website is becoming increasingly popular in the WorldTour peloton and a growing number of riders are choosing to share their training runs and race data, providing a fascinating insight into life as a pro.

It enables us to get a flavour of the incredible mileage and intensity required to ride at the top level, not least at the Vuelta a Espana, which starts in Jerez, Spain, on Saturday. All in all, 20 Strava-registered riders are set to contest the 2014 Vuelta, representing nine teams – you can find them all here.

We’ve selected six – from Strava poster boy Laurens Ten Dam (Belkin Pro Cycling) to Tour de France podium finisher Thibaut Pinot (FDJ.fr) – who you should follow. Of course, no rider is obliged to upload their data, nor is there any guarantee they will, but here are some of the riders you should keep an eye on.