Irishman Sam Bennett and Tour de France 2019 hero Julian Alaphilippe have been appointed leaders of what is an incredible Deceuninck–QuickStep line-up at Paris-Nice.
Because Strade Bianche in Italy has been cancelled due to the
coronavirus, some of the team’s classics men who had planned to race in Italy
this week have now been drafted into the line-up for the Race to the Sun.
Those riders brought in on the eve of the race include Zdenek Štybar, Kasper Asgreen and Bob Jungels.
They will combine with Bennett, Alaphilippe, Tim Declercq, Yves Lampaert and Michael Mørkøv to form a truly impressive selection.
Bennett
will be aiming for victories in stages 2 and 3 but stage 1, though it is
hillier, also looks like it could be one of the Irishman.
If
he were to win that opening stage he would take the yellow jersey and would
have a very good chance of holding it into the stage 4 TT.
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Team
management say they are very confident of the riders they have selected and
believe Bennett can added to the three stages he has already won in this race.
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“Paris-Nice
is one of the most prestigious stage races of the calendar and we are heading
there determined to get some good results and add to the 15 stages won at the
past editions,” said sports director Tom Steels.
“We
have two leaders, Julian and Sam, who will both find stages that suit them and
will be supported by a strong team.
“(The
team) comprises riders who have shown good form recently and can control the
race, but at the same time, seize the opportunity if it arises.
“The
main goal is to win stages, but we could take an aim also at the general
classification, depending on how things will go day by day.
“Not
just the terrain will be important, but also the weather, as there’s a big
chance of having some echelons on the first three stages, so we’ll have to
remain alert and at all times focused.”
Deceuninck-QuickStep chief executive Patrick Lefevere also explained that despite fears in pro cycling around the coronavirus, especially in Italy, he believed racing could continue in France.
“While
we understand why other teams have chosen not to race, we have decided that we
will follow the guidelines set in place by the local authorities and the race
organisers, and have faith in their assessment that it is safe for us to race,”
he said.
“The
health of our riders and staff is of course a priority and we will take all the
necessary precautions to protect them, while still honouring our commitment to
an important race.”
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