Schlagwort-Archive: Simon Clarke (AUS)

Sep Vanmarcke headlines squad for snowy Strade Bianche

Teamnews, , , , , ,

Vanmarcke opens Classics season with third at Omloop het Nieuwsblad

Strade Bianche takes the WorldTour peloton from the cobbles of Belgium to the white roads of Tuscany. The young-but-instant classic tempts general classification contenders and one-day specialists. The 12th edition of the Italian one-day race looks set to throw up an additional challenge beyond the dirt farm tracks synonymous with the course – snow!

“I’m not surprised by the popularity of this race,” said sport director Fabrizio Guidi. “I also think that there are conditions for the popularity to continue to grow. The scenario and characteristics of the course are unique. Strade Bianche represents the answers to those looking for both spectacle and tradition and offers the opportunity for victory to climbers and classics riders.”

An on-form Sep Vanmarcke captains the EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale squad on Saturday. Vanmarcke, third last weekend at Omloop het Nieuwsblad, will be joined by road captain Simon Clarke, Alex Howes, Swedish road champion Kim Magnusson, Dani Moreno, Taylor Phinney and Tom Van Asbroeck. Phinney, who missed out on Abu Dhabi Tour due to illness, makes his season debut in Siena.

“We have a strong team and start with important ambitions,” said Guidi. “It’s difficult to predict how the race will unfold in light of the weather forecast. We have a plan for every situation. We are prepared. We start to win, as always, and strategy and team spirit will make a difference.”

What Strade Bianche lacks in heritage it more than compensates for in mystique. The race has been both a fan favorite and rider favorite since inception.

Sep Vanmarcke headlines squad for snowy Strade Bianche weiterlesen →

Welcome to Ardennes Week

Downhill, Teamnews, , , , , , , , , ,

With the northern cobbled races wrapped, Cannondale-Drapac now trains its gaze on the hillier races in the Ardennes. A new-look Amstel Gold Race is next up on Sunday, and Flèche Wallonne, with its infamous final climb, on Wednesday.

Toms Skujins made his 2017 debut in the low lands at De Brabantse Pijl after doing a number of stage races down south.

“There is a difference between the classics of northern Europe and the south-European stage races. And I’m not talking about the weather. One-day races in northern Europe are definitely more stressful and more exciting. Riders know they have only one shot, so they use every ounce of energy they have to make it count,” Skujins said. “That makes the racing more exciting to watch and more fun to race, too. Positioning is a lot more important, because if you find yourself a bit too far back, your day can be over in a kilometer. I definitely approach it differently.”

AMSTEL GOLD RACE


TV viewers are the main reason for changing the Amstel Gold Race finish again, with not the Cauberg but Bemeleberg as the final ascent of the day. After the top, there is still five kilometers to the finish line. DS Tom Southam doesn’t necessarily believe the change in the route will have the impact organizers intend.

Welcome to Ardennes Week weiterlesen →