After a highly successful Tour Down Under, Lotto Belisol are ready for their first races on European soil, the GP La Marseillaise and Etoile de Besseges. The races will be the first for many of their new signings, with Maxime Monfort and Tony Gallopin going for a good GC result in the latter race.

Lotto Belisol could not have wished a better start to their 2014 season, with André Greipel winning two stages and Adam Hansen finishing in the top 10 and taking the mountains jersey in the Tour Down Under. The team may have had less success in the Tour de San Luis but is eager to continue the momentum on Sunday when they line up for their first race on European soil.

The GP La Marseillaise is the traditional opener of the European season and takes place on a lumpy route around Marseille, offering three major climbs to split things up a bit. The race has both been won in sprints from reduced pelotons or from a breakaway.

"The season has already kicked off in Australia and Argentina, but it's still special to ride the first race in Europe," sports director Marc Wauters said. "There is a particular atmosphere. For many riders it will be the first race, that always makes them a bit nervous. Last year Lars Bak had a chance to win the GP la Marseillaise, but unfortunately there was a collision with a motorbike. This year we want to battle again for the victory. The course isn't very hard, but the riders always go full there and so a selection will be made."

Lotto Belisol will line up a 7-rider roster that includes numerous new signings. The team will be lead by Maxime Monfort and Tony Gallopin and while the course may not be hard enough for the former to shine, the latter has all the characteristics to get his Lotto career off to a good start.

The duo will be joined by climber Bart De Clercq, fast finisher Dennis Vanendert and neo-pros Vegard Breen, Sean De Bie and Boris Vallee.

On Wednesday, the same 7 riders will be joined by Tosh van der Sande when they start the first Euopean stage race, the Etoile de Besseges. The 5-day race typically offers a few opportunities for the sprinters and a hilly fourth stage where the Mur de Laudun can be decisive. The crucial stage comes on the final day when the riders will tackle a hard 11km time trial.

The final stage will suit Monfort and Gallopin who have both excelled in these kinds of efforts and they have both set their sights on a good GC result. Van der Sande showed good form when he sprinted to a top 10 result on the final stage of the Tour de San Luis and will join Vanendert to offer the team options in the sprints.

"Tony Gallopin is very motivated to show his new jersey in his home country," Wauters said. "We also count on Maxime Monfort. Both riders want to go for a nice result in the GC at the Etoile de Bessèges. For that race Tosh Van der Sande will join the selection and he's doing very well.

"The race development will partly decide about the role of the neo-pros. Breen, De Bie and Vallée will definitely get the chance to go along in an early break. If we have to defend a good position in GC, they can help with that. The more experienced riders in the team will give them advice."

Selection Lotto Belisol:

Vegard Breen, Sean De Bie, Bart De Clercq, Tony Gallopin, Maxime Monfort, Tosh Van der Sande (only Bessèges), Boris Vallée and Dennis Vanendert.

Sports directors: Jean-Pierre Heynderickx and Marc Wauters