Steff Cras will make his debut for the team at the Spanish race taking place between 4-8 February.
A menu without an uphill finish, but with a medium-length individual time trial and plenty of climbs means there will be lots of challenges at this year’s Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, our team’s first European stage race of the season. Together with the stage against the clock, the many hills spread out over the five-day course should produce some exciting racing, as the GC favourites will have to make their move from the distance on some stages in order to force a selection and gain time.
Soudal Quick-Step’s squad for the 77th edition of the event will consist of Ayco Bastiaens, newcomer Steff Cras, Yves Lampaert, Dries Van Gestel, neo-pro Jonathan Vervenne, and Soudal Quick-Step Devo riders Jasper Schoofs and Viktor Soenens, the latter returning to a Spanish stage race for the first time since winning the white jersey at last year’s O Gran Camiño.
“Valenciana is a nice and demanding race, which this year comes with an individual time trial, a stage with more than 3000 vertical meters on Saturday, and lots of up-and-down roads. We can go in the breakaways, but we will also try to get involved in the bunch sprints with Dries. For Steff, who starts the season, the penultimate stage can be a good test, while Jonathan – the reigning U23 European Champion – will see what he can do in Wednesday’s ITT. We know it’s not going to be easy, but as always, we are prepared to give our best there”, said sports director Tom Steels.
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel
