Team Novo Nordisk is set to make its first appearance at the four-day Dubai Tour when it kicks off on Wednesday.

“It’s going to be our first appearance in the region and our first appearance at an RCS Sport major event,” Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko said. “The race is relatively new, but it already is very prestigious and has high visibility around the globe. We see it as a great platform for our team’s mission and a great event to compete at.”

Fresh off the Tour de San Luis, Team Novo Nordisk is taking a motivated eight-man squad looking to make an impact on the United Arab Emirates race. Team Novo Nordisk’s squad features Ruud Cremers (NED), Kevin De Mesmaeker (BEL), Nicolas Lefrançois (FRA), David Lozano (ESP), Javier Megias (ESP), Andrea Peron (ITA), Martijn Verschoor (NED), and Chris Williams (AUS).

“We are going in with our support focused on our sprinters, Martijn and Andrea,” Davidenko said. “They are in good form and the race profile is perfect for both of them. “

Twenty-nine-year-old Verschoor earned four top-five finishes in 2014, including runner-up on Stage 1 of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Saguenay. The Dutchman says he is eager to race against some of the best sprinters in the world.

“I think racing in Argentina helped me prepare well for the Dubai Tour,” Verschoor said. “I’m motivated to race and would love for our team to earn a top-five at such high profile race.”

In its second edition, the Dubai Tour was recently upgraded to 2.HC status by the UCI. Every stage of the KM race begins at the Dubai International Marine Club. Ten of the 16 teams invited to this year’s race are WorldTour squads.

Unlike last year’s race, there is no time trial stage. All the stages except for one take place within the urban sections of Dubai and are designed for the sprinters. Stage 3 features some minor climbs as it takes the riders east out of Dubai and into the desert country.

The race begins Wednesday, February 1 with a 145-km stage that starts at the Dubai International Marine Club and finishes at the Union House Flag.

Team Novo Nordisk Dubai Tour (Feb 1-4):

Ruud Cremers (NED), Kevin De Mesmaeker (BEL), Nicolas Lefrançois (FRA), David Lozano (ESP), Javier Megias (ESP), Andrea Peron (ITA), Martijn Verschoor (NED), Chris Williams (AUS).