Two stage victories in the recent Vuelta a Espana have earned 23-year-old Magnus Cort a protected role for the Primus Classic-Impanis Van Petegem in Belgium on Saturday.

ORICA-BikeExchange head into the 1.HC one-day race with a strong seven-man team and the objective of supporting Cort for the expected sprint finish.

Young Australians Alexander Edmondson and Robert Power both come directly into the team after eight days of solid racing at the Tour of Britain and will be joined by 21-year-old stagiaire Nick Schultz.

Sport director Laurenzo Lapage is looking forward to the race and believes it will climax in the anticipated bunch sprint.

“There is always a big chance that this race finishes in a bunch sprint,” said Lapage. “Especially now with the great weather we have been experiencing here in Belgium lately.

“It will be a long race and after showing excellent form in the Vuelta a Espana recently Magnus (Cort) will be our leader and protected rider for the finale.

“We have a fast, strong team in support of Magnus and we will be looking to achieve a good result on Saturday.”

ORICA-BikeExchange’s Spanish trio Ruben Plaza, Carlos Verona and Amets Txurruka complete the line up, adding strength and experience to the squad for the tough race.

The Primus Classic-Impanis Van Petegem takes place on Saturday the 17th of September and covers 200kilometres from Brakel to Haacht-Boormeerbek.

ORICA-BikeExchange at Primus Classic-Impanis Van Petegem, (17th September 2016):

Magnus Cort (DEN, 23)

Alexander Edmondson (AUS, SA, 22)

Ruben Plaza (ESP, 36)

Robert Power (AUS, WA, 20)

Amets Txurruka (ESP, 32)

Nick Schultz (AUS, QLD, 21)

Carlos Verona (ESP, 23)