Etixx – Quick-Step met with the media today at a Tour de San Luis press conference, before the race launches the 2015 road season on January 19th. Sport Director Davide Bramati, and riders Mark Cavendish and Michal Kwiatkowski, offered their thoughts on the upcoming race in Argentina.
Bramati: It will be the first race of the season and is a great way to prepare the condition for the next races, but it is also a good race every year. Last year's edition it was very hot, with temperatures around 40 degrees, so we will see what the weather will be like this year and how it can affect the race. We go there and we will see if we can come out with a stage win.
At this race we have guys who can do well, for example a rider like Mark Cavendish. There are three stages that can end in a sprint, so we will see what can happen with Mark. That's just one way we can try to get a good result at Tour de San Luis. The competition includes guys like Nairo Quintana (Movistar) who won the overall last year. But we will focus on what our team can do, first and foremost. We know we have good riders at the start hoping to do well. You never know. For sure we will try our best to win at least one stage and start off 2015 in the best way possible. Tour de San Luis is a good way to start the season, with six riders racing hard in good weather. I hope the riders will come back with improved condition and good emotions after this race in Argentina.
As for Kwiatkowski, we go into this race with hopes that he can continue to build his condition in anticipation of the spring with the Ardennes Classics. He is the UCI WorldChampion, so of course he will do his best to represent our team and the jersey on his back. But he is also young, still learning, and his condition is not yet at its peak. He is a rider that can do well in any kind of race, and we will see how the situation is for him, even in the 17.4 kilometer ITT in the 5th stage.
Cavendish: First of all Argentina and San Luis are beautiful places with great people. We fell welcome here and it is well organized. It's more relaxed than a UCI WorldTour race. I think the organizer did a good job to give an alternative to a great WorldTour race as Australia. Santos Tour Down Under is part of the WorldTour, and you have to be in top form immediately. It's a bit long to keep that kind of condition until July. But of course we are here also to do well, and we are here with a strong team. The race won't be easy. I don't know how I feel compared to last year, we'll see. I did some good training in the last week. I like the parcours and there are a few chances for guys like me. I hope we can get a victory.
Kwiatkowski: I have good memories from what happened here two year ago. It's one of the races where you always feel welcome. I haven't had the same condition that I had two years ago when I was third, but of course I want to do my best to honor the team, the Rainbow jersey I wear, and the race.
As for starting the new season with this jersey, it's a great pleasure. But it is also a big responsibility considering that I'm also the first Polish rider to wear it. But at the same time I'm really motivated this year. We have a new sponsor, and new riders even here with Lukasz Wisniowski and Fabio Sabatini. I can't wait to ride with this jersey.
My winter was more busy after the season this year compared to past years, but it's part of my job. I tried to organize my time in the right way. My goal for the season is to improve as a young rider still learning and be successful with this strong team that always supports me.