As Drapac Pro Cycling prepare for their debut Tour of California, some of their riders and DS Tom Southam spoke about their goals for the race with SBS Cycling.

“Everyone is looking to the big names. We are going to try to take a stage away from them as the underdog,” says 24-year-old sprinter Wouter Wippert who counts three wins this season.

While the Tour Down Under was an important target for the Australian team, sports director Tom Southam says, “California is also tremendously important to the team and our sponsors, so we will be treating it as the biggest thing we’ll do this year."

“We want to represent the Drapac Group in the best possible way. We’ve obviously got Wouter who I think can develop into a top-line World Tour sprinter. We also want to be well-represented all the way through.”

Wippert knows it will be difficult to win a bunch sprint against the likes of Cavendish and Sagan, but says that with the help of leadout man Graeme Brown, he has a chance.

“It’s going to be hard to win, but we believe we can compete with them, especially with Brownie. On technique he is like a genius,” says the Dutch rider.

“I’m still new to races at this level. Having Brownie’s ten years of WorldTour experience gives me so much rest in the race. He organises my other team-mates and the only thing I have to do is follow his wheel.”