In a few days, MTN-Qhubeka will line up in their biggest stage race ever when they take to the start of the Tour de Suisse. Today they will prepare themselves in the GP Gippingen whose hilly course could suit an in-form Gerald Ciolek.

With the Tour de Suisse looming this weekend, Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will have one more appointment to ready the race legs before the Swiss tour. The GP du Canton in itself is a prestigious UCI 1.HC category race that will be held on Thursday in and around the city of Gippingen.

The race will be run as a circuit race with riders having to do 15 laps of a 12.1km circuit. The profile of the course includes a gradual climb midway which should really have an effect in the last 2-3 laps. In previous years the race has been taking out by a puncheur type rider after they were able to power away on the climb.

Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will start with a strong team, consisting out of 6 of the 8 riders who will also do the Tour de Suisse. Gerald Ciolek, Louis Meintjes, Jay Thomson, Jaco Venter, Daniel Teklehaimanot and Sergio Pardilla will be joined by Ferekalsi Debesay and Andreas Stauff for the 51st edition of the GP du Canton.

While the race will be used as a good leg loosen-er by most of the teams taking part in the Tour du Suisse, the fact remains that there is a race to be won and Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will start on Thursday with that very clear goal in mind.