Delighted with their rocket-fire start to the season, after three World Tour wins at Santos Tour Down Under, Bora-hansgrohe is now turning its thoughts to Grand Tour successes with its sprint line-up, including Irish rider Ryan Mullen.
All of the Grand Tour conversation around the team, especially relating to the Tour de France, has focused on its big name signing Primož Roglič from Jumbo Visma.
However, Sam Welsford has also come into the team - replacing Sam Bennett - as lead sprinter, hitting the ground with bells on. His speed, combined with the sheer power of lead-out men Mullen and Danny Van Poppel, has mopped up a lot of the headlines this week.
And now the team has been setting out how that lead-out and sprinter combination would be deployed as it chases Grand Tour success later this year.
Advertisement
New sports director Shane Archbold - who has switched from lead-out man to team staffer over the winter - says the key for Welsford this year is his ride in the Tour de France last year while a Team DSM rider.
While the Australian failed to sparkle at the Tour, he completed the race. And Archbold believes that has really helped with Welsford's transition from track rider to road sprinter.
Related News
For his part, Welsford has been full of praise for Mullen and Van Poppel and he believes the fact that they have clicked immediately, all finding their form, is crucial.
“The boys are really feeding off how good we’re going this week, and the momentum keeps rolling," Welsford said after collecting his third stage victory today into Port Elliot.
“The earlier you can get it right and get on the same wavelength as the boys as a unit is super important for the rest of the season because we know when you go to the UAE Tour, or the Giro, you’re going to have a lot more competition.
"And that’s when it’s also harder to get right. So, if you’re already hitting those big races with a good experience under the belt it makes a huge difference.
“The boys are really good at picking a side and defending it. That’s one of our strengths. We can take a side, look after the sprinter in that side, keep them out of the wind, and give them the easiest ride possible.
"That’s the big difference I’ve noticed this year is the support I’m getting into the sprint. It makes a huge difference.”
