Chris Horner is ready for his first big test as a Lampre-Merida rider when he spearheads a very powerful team at the Tirreno-Adriatico. In addition to the American, the team can count on Damiano Cunego and an in-form Diego Ulissi for the GC battle while Sacha Modolo hopes to continue his success in the sprints.

With two wins for Diego Ulissi and three for Sacha Modolo, Lampre-Merida have had a dream start to their season and the team is hoping to continue their run of success when they line up for one of their biggest home races, Tirreno-Adriatico. While world champion Rui Costa leads their team in Paris-Nice, most of the team's remaining stars will ride in Italy.

Chris Horner, Diego Ulissi, and Damiano Cunego form a very strong trio for the GC battle. In the past two seasons, Horner has performed really well in the Italian race and he has been riding well in support of Costa in his first races for his new team.

With his stage win in the Tour Down Under and victory in GP Camaiore, Ulissi has proved to be in splendid condition while Damian Cunego excelled in the Strade Bianche where he finished 4th.

For the three sprint stages, the team will focus on Sacha Modolo who has been one of the most successful sprinters of 2014. He will have the support of lead-out men Davide Cimolai and Maximilano Richeze and should also receive some help from Filippo Pozzato who uses the race to prepare for the classics.

"We have a complete team that is able to cope well with the variety of the route that we will face at the Tirreno-Adriatico," sports director Bruno Vicino says. "On the climbs, we will be in the front with a trio of climbers consisting of Cunego, Ulissi, and Horner. We will take it day by day and assess the situation.

"The team of sprinters is very competition, with Modolo driven by the enthusiasm of his recent victories, and with Richeze, Cimolai, and Pozzato who is looking for important indications in view of Milan-Sanremo and the Belgian classics. Mori's experience will serve as the gluen between all the team members."

You can read our preview of the race here and of the first stage here.

Lampre-Merida for Tirreno-Adriatico:

Davide Cimolai, Damiano Cunego, Sacha Modolo, Manuele Mori, Filippo Pozzato, Diego Ulissi, Chris Horner and Maximiliano Richeze.