Dutch team Belkin Pro Cycling will bring a strong Australian contingent when they line up at the 2014 Santos Tour Down Under.
Aussie cyclists Jack Bobridge, Graeme Brown and David Tanner will support Dutchman Robert Gesink in his bid for the Ochre Jersey. It will be Brown's 12th appearance at the Santos Tour Down Under.
Santos Tour Down Under Race Director Mike Turtur says there will be plenty of support for the Belkin Pro Cycling team from Australian crowds.
“Graeme Brown is one of the most experienced Australian cyclists in the peloton and it is fantastic to see Adelaide boy Jack Bobridge going from strength to strength on the UCI WorldTour circuit,” Mr Turtur said.
“Robert Gesink had a solid season and capped it off with a win at the UCI WorldTour Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec where he stormed home to beat the likes of Rui Costa and Tom-Jelte Slagter.
“Cycling fans can expect lots of attacking from Belkin Pro Cycling and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team represented on a couple of podiums throughout the race.”
Jack Bobridge proved to be a strong contender in the hills at the 2013 Santos Tour Down Under, finishing second in the Škoda King of the Mountain classification.
Gesink and the Australian contingent will be joined by Dutch cyclists Stef Clement, Rick Flens and Bram Tankink.
The Belkin Pro Cycling team competing at the 2014 Santos Tour Down Under will be led by manager Erik Dekker and includes riders:
Robert Gesink (Netherlands), Jack Bobridge (Australia), Stef Clement (Netherlands), Graeme Brown (Australia), Rick Flens (Netherlands), David Tanner (Australia) and Bram Tankink (Netherlands).
Sprint star headlines Cannondale Pro Cycling
Italian cycling outfit Cannondale Pro Cycling have announced a strong seven-man roster for the 2014 Santos Tour Down Under.
New Zealander George Bennett will headline Cannondale Pro Cycling in his debut race with his new team.
Elia Viviani will be a strong addition to the team after the Italian recorded an outstanding season in 2013 including stage wins in the Critérium du Dauphiné and the Tour of Britain.
Santos Tour Down Under Race Director Mike Turtur says Cannondale Pro Cycling will be coming to Adelaide with a well-rounded team.
“With Viviani to take care of the sprints and Bennett well suited to the challenging climbs of Corkscrew Road and Willunga Hill, we can expect to see the green jersey of Cannondale Pro Cycling at the front of the peloton,” Mr Turtur said.
“The seven-man roster includes cyclists of six different nationalities and Australia will be represented by former lightweight rower Cameron Wurf.
Under-23 World Road Race Champion Slovenian Matej Mohoric will make his Santos Tour Down Under debut having secured his first UCI Pro Team contract.
The Cannondale team competing at the 2014 Santos Tour Down Under will be led by manager Biagio Conte and includes riders:
George Bennett (New Zealand), Alberto Bettiol (Italy), Guillaume Boivin (Canada), Matthias Krizek (Austria),Matej Mohoric (Slovenia), Elia Viviani (Italy) and Cameron Wurf (Australia).
2014 Santos Tour Down Under
The Santos Tour Down Under is Australia's premier international cycling race. It will be staged in and around Adelaide, South Australia from 19 to 26 January 2014. On Sunday 19 January the world's cycling elite will contest an exciting 50km circuit race, the People’s Choice Classic, as the curtain raiser for the six-stage Santos Tour Down Under being raced over a total distance of 875km.
•Sunday 19 January – People’s Choice Classic – Adelaide (50km)
•Monday 20 January – Rest day
• Tuesday 21 January – Stage 1 – Nuriootpa to Angaston (135km)
•Wednesday 22 January – BikeExchange.com.au Stage 2 – Prospect to Stirling (150km)
•Thursday 23 January – Stage 3 – Norwood to Campbelltown (145km)
•Friday 24 January – Bupa Stage 4 – Unley to Victor Harbor (148.5km)
•Saturday 25 January – Stage 5 – McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill (151.5km)
•Sunday 26 January – Stage 6 – Adelaide (95km)
Tom DERNIES 34 years | today |
Elisa LUGLI 22 years | today |
Heinrich BERGER 39 years | today |
Andrew ROCHE 53 years | today |
Miriam ROMEI 29 years | today |
© CyclingQuotes.com