Ricardo and Harley join forces for Fort Lauderdale Major

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Olympic champion Ricardo will team up with Harley Marquez in Fort Lauderdale.

Legendary Brazilian veterans Ricardo and Harley Marques are set to roll back the years at the Fort Lauderdale Major after they were given a wildcard to the main draw of what promises to be a spectacular opening tournament of the beach volleyball season.

The duo, both 42, have won an eye-popping 137 medals between them over the course of their incredible careers and will join up on the sand for only the second competition when the season kicks off in style in Florida.

Harley retired in 2012 but stepped back onto the sand briefly when playing in two tournaments last year. Former Olympic champ Ricardo has continued to be a popular figure on the World Tour.

The pair are one of four Brazilian teams in the men’s main draw, which includes reigning Olympic and Swatch World Tour Finals champions Alison/Bruno and the two new teams: Pedro Solberg/Guto and Evandro/Andre.

Home fans will also be able to back at least four US teams in the main draw with Casey Patterson and Theo Brunner also awarded a wildcard as they begin their new exciting partnership. They join Lucena/Dalhausser, Hyden/Bourne and Gibb/Taylor Crabb in the Pool Play, which will get under way on Wednesday, February 8.

Also on their way to Fort Lauderdale will be Olympic silver medalists Lupo/Nicolai and their fellow Italian entertainers Ranghieri/Carambula.

The 24 teams in the main draw – which includes a host of new partnerships – will be joined by the eight winning teams from the qualification process, which kicks off on the opening day of the tournament on Tuesday, February 7.

You can find out the full list who has made the main draw by clicking here – and remember to share your opinion on the new teams by posting on our Facebook page.