Two of Lampre-Merida’s new recruits, Matej Mohoric and Simone Petilli, will start their season early at the Tour de San Luis. Mohoric in particular knows that a good start in a key season for him is really important.

“It’s a race with double meaning for me. First, it will be the season debut of a really important year for me, and second, I’ll debut with my new team," Mohoric said in a team statement.

The young Slovenian says the Argentinean race will form a good block of training for him as he prepares for his big goals later in the season, namely a Grand Tour and the Ardennes Classics.

“This race has grown up fast over the years. For many cyclists, it is the first real effort of the year. A lot of thems will search for the first victory, and for others, it's a good base of shape to begin the season with the right foot."

Lampre-Merida for 2016 Tour de San Luis 9January 18-24): Matej Mohoric, Davide Cimolai, Mattia Cattaneo, Valerio Conti, Mario Costa, Roberto Ferrari, Ilia Koshevoy, Manuele Mori, Simone Petilli and Przemyslaw Niemec.