Nicolas Roche gets back into racing action on Friday with Team Sunweb for the first time since a crash on stage 6 of the Vuelta ended his challenge in Spain and his 2019 season.
The Irish rider
suffered a broken knee cap in the crash which occurred just one day after he
had held the race leader’s jersey in the Spanish Grand Tour.
He is back racing again from Friday when he gets his 2020 season underway on the opening stage of the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var.
Run over three days, the race’s first stage is set to take the riders on an undulating 186.8km from Le Cannet to Grasse with a 3km climb to finish.
Saturday’s stage 2 is another lumpy course; some 175.7km from Pégomas to the finish on Col d'Eze.
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The race concludes with stage 3 on Sunday; 136km from La Londe to Le Mont Faron with two late short sharp climbs, including an uphill finish.
It will be an ideal opportunity for Roche to get
reacquainted with the peloton and test his condition on a challenging course.
“After our
European season got underway at the Tour de La Provence last week, we continue
our time in France with the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var,” said Team
Sunweb coach Arjan Ribbers.
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“Once again we want to race aggressively and be on the front foot throughout the race, chasing stage success.
"Marc (Hirschi) arrives as our main card to play, with the rest of the guys protecting him and looking to set him up for the stage finales.
“Felix (Gall) makes his debut for us after being promoted from the development program.
"Mark (Donovan) also starts in the team's colours for the first time and it is nice to have Chris (Hamilton) back after his early season injury."
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