Within one week, BORA – ARGON 18 participates in three races on the Iberian Peninsula: the Vuelta a Murcia, the Clasica de Almeria and the Volta ao Algarve. After finishing the two single-day races over the weekend, Sports Director Christian Pömer spoke about the team’s goals for the Volta ao Algarve that starts today. The tour in Portugal covers five stages, which include two bunch sprints, two mountainous days and an individual time trial.

How do you rank the importance of the three races in Spain and Portugal for the team this week?
“Out of the three races, the Tour of Algarve is our big goal. With Jose Mendes and Björn Thurau we have two guys who could do well in the GC. The race in Murcia on Saturday was a good first test for it. During the long climb, Björn showed that he keeps up with the best. And Jose finished with the first chasing group as 13th. Combining this result with his time trial strength I am pretty sure that we can fight for a Top10 result in the GC at the Volta ao Algarve.”

In the past of the Volta ao Algarve the ITT always played a special role. How is the team prepared for it?
“With Jan Barta we start with the best time trial rider of our team. These races are the first ones for Jan this season, so it will be an assessment of the current form for him and for us. But I am convinced that we can expect a Top10 result in the time trial – maybe even a time among the best five.”

Two out of the five stages at the Volta ao Algarve are made for the sprinters. And with Phil Bauhaus BORA – ARGON 18 has a real sprinter in its line-up.
“Besides a GC result, those two sprints are our main goals here in Algarve. Last Sunday in Almeria, we wanted to support Phil as best as possible. On the other hand, we tried to save the energy of our tour riders for the stage race here. Since it was a very tough middle part in Almeria, Phil unfortunately couldn’t keep up with the best sprinters yet. But I am optimistic that he’ll get the chance to sprint in the upcoming days. I am sure that he is already able to sprint into the Top10 in case there is a bunch sprint.”