Omega Pharma – Quick Step Cycling Team has announced the formation that will take part in the Tour Down Under (21-26 January, 2014).
The team will fly from Amsterdam to Adelaide on January 7th, under the orders of Sports Director Rik Van Slycke. As usual, the team will also participate in the circuit organized in Adelaide on the Sunday before the race.
"The routes won't be much different that what we saw in the last edition of the race," explains Sport Director Van Slycke. "We'll have a few days in Australia before the race to adjust to the jet lag and take advantage of the good weather to train. The squad will have an athlete like Mark Renshaw, who will be highly motivated for his hometown race, in which he's already done well in the past. Next to him we'll have Matteo Trentin and Andrew Fenn, the young Julian Alaphilippe, in his first race as a pro, and Carlos Verona. Experience on the team will be guaranteed by Jan Bakelants and Serge Pauwels. The goal is to stand out as major players from the beginning of the race and try to obtain a victory right away. It will be an important way to get the season of to the best possible start."
"The Tour Down Under represents the start of the new season, an important race for the team to make its first mark," Sport and Development Manager Rolf Aldag says. "The guys who are going there are really looking forward to the race. Compared to the rest of the team, their preparation is more advanced so they will be in shape for the race. On the squad we have a good mix of expert riders and young athletes who can really benefit from this experience."