Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl to Danmark Rundt

The 31st edition of the race takes place between 16-20 August.

The route of this year’s Danmark Rundt will be a very testing one. Apart from stages 1 and 3, which will have the sprinters take center stage, all the other days should see the blue jersey contenders in the mix. They should have a first opportunity to create some gaps in the 12.7km individual time trial in Assens, followed forty-eight hours later by an undulating stage comprising seven gravel roads sectors. But the most important day will once again be the one starting and finishing in Vejle, where the hilly terrain and the Kiddesvej climb could turn the GC on its head.

Having won two stages at the previous edition, Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl will look to be again among the protagonists and leave its mark on the five-day race which is set to get underway next Tuesday. Josef Cerny, Tim Declercq, James Knox, Michael Mørkøv, Tour of Belgium winner Mauro Schmid, Zdenek Stybar – who recently took a solid podium at the Tour of Leuven – and Ethan Vernon will be the seven wolves lining out at the start in Allerød.

“We will take it day by day, as we don’t have a big favourite for the general classification. In the sprints, Ethan will be guided by Michael, while in the time trial we can go for a good result with Josef and Mauro. On the gravel, Zdenek can do something, but it remains to be seen how things will unfold there; same goes for the final stage in Vejle, where the steep climbs will play a big role in the final outcome. Concerning the overall standings, maybe Mauro can try something, but we need to see first how he has recovered from illness. We will see what is possible, but as mentioned before, the plan is to take it one stage at a time”, said sports director Brian Holm.

Photo credit: ©Bas Czerwinski / Getty Images