Team Stölting have announced their line-up for the Tour de Luxembourg.

The Skoda-Tour de Luxembourg from 1 to 5 June traditionally kicks off with a prologue in the country's capital. The specialists will fight for the day's win on the 2.9 km while the overall favourites can take seconds on their rivals already.

Stage 1 from Luxembourg to Hesperange is expected to end in a sprint despite the short and steep Côte de Syren on the finishing circuits. The second stage from Rosport to Schifflange has a 440 m, 13% wall on the last of the 162.8 km – the puncheurs will come to the fore here. Stage 3 starts in Eschweiler and finishes in Differdange after 177.4 km. It will probably decide the GC as the Col de l'Europe, 1.5 km at 8%, has to be climbed three times in the final 30 km. The final stage isn't easy either with five ascents of the Pabeierbierg in the final.

With 2015 winner Linus Gerdemann, Team Stölting Service Group would have fielded one of the favourites for the race. Unfortunately, Linus is out of action with a heavy cold; he's replaced by Jonas Tenbrock (GER). Gerald Ciolek (GER) and Mads Pedersen (DEN) can mix up the sprints, while Alex Kirsch (LUX) is targeting the prologue. Finally, Rasmus Guldhammer (DEN), Christian Mager (GER), Michael Reihs (DEN), and Fabian Wegmann (GER) are four strong riders, all capable of a result.

Sports Director Jochen Hahn (GER) has had to change his plans for the race, but remains confident: “The conditions at the Tour of Norway were extreme, Linus wasn't the only one to take away a heavy cold from there. As it's no good for him or the team to send him into a race at half strength we made the decision to replace him with Jonas. Gerald will go for the sprints – and we'll decide after the prologue who to support for the GC. Even with Linus out we still have several riders who can be at the front of the race, meaning that we can be flexible and react to how the race evolves.”

The Luxembourger Alex Kirsch is looking forward to his home race: “The finishing towns are the same as in 2014 even though the routes change slightly every year. Two years ago I was still an amateur and finished third in the prologue. I was also well-placed in GC until a crash ended my chances of a good overall finish. Nevertheless this race opened the door to a pro contract for me, and I'm looking forward to my favourite race. The prologue suits me very well, and I'll try to get a result there. Stage 2 also plays to my strengths. With Linus as defending champion we field a strong team, and I hope that we'll get lots of opportunities to show ourselves.”

“The Tour de Luxembourg is an important race for us,” says Rasmus Guldhammer. “Linus is the defending champion, and we'll do everything we can to win the race again. We're fielding a strong team where Mads and Gerald will be visible in the sprints, but could also keep up in the hills if they have a bit of luck. The prologue is an important part of the race, if you don't lose too much time here you're already well-placed in GC. Alex Kirsch has shown his qualities in the prologue in the last years and will be very motivated for the race. The rest of the team including myself is ready to perform, and I believe that we can be at the front end of the race and compete for stage wins and the overall victory.”