Team Giant-Alpecin heads to Corsica, the French island that hosts Critérium International, for the first edition of the one-day Classica Corsica. This 203km UCI 1.1 race will feature many of the same roads and climbs used on the second stage of the 2013 Tour de France when Le Tour visited the isle.

The team includes riders looking to gain experience from racing on the offensive here in Corsica, including Chad Haga (USA) who had a strong Tirreno-Adriatico before playing his part in Sunday's Milan-Sanremo victory. Fredrik Ludvigsson (SWE) also returns to racing here after several months of patient recovery from an operation in the winter.

"With the recent number of unfortunate injuries and sick riders we are heading to Corsica with just six riders but we will still be ready to challenge and to make an impression as a team," explained team coach Christian Guiberteau (FRA). "The parcours looks like it will favour a smaller group towards the end but if the race does come back together after the main climbs and Tom [Veelers] is there then we will be sure to go for a result with him. Otherwise we will look to take what opportunities we can."

Giant Alpecin for the Classic Corsica: Caleb Fairly, Chad Haga, Thierry Hupond, Cheng Ji, Fredrik Ludvigsson and Tom Veelers.

Two days later the team will start the Criterium International. In 2014, Tom Dumoulin (NED) assumed the overall race lead after winning the second stage time trial before conceding it on the final mountain finish on Sunday. Dumoulin isn't lining up for this year's race but it is still a well-rounded team that heads to Corsica for the two-day, three stage race.

As usual the race features a short sprint opportunity on the opening morning followed by a 7km individual time trial in the afternoon. This is then followed by a 189.5km mountain stage on Sunday finishing atop the Col de l'Ospedale.

It is an opportunist line-up for the two-day race that will be looking to infiltrate the escapes and take what chances arise. Tom Veelers (NED) also provides a strong option for the opening day's sprint opportunity, a race for him to take his own chances.

Team Giant-Alpecin coach Christian Guiberteau (FRA) said ahead of the race: "We start Critérium International with the same team as the Corsica Classic and will be looking towards using the collective strength of the team to push for a result.

"I think our best chance of a result will be with Tom in the opening sprint stage. Chad will look towards the time trial but he comes here after a busy opening race period so there's no pressure on him for this. It will also be good for Caleb to test his climbing legs here on the final stage."

Giant Alpecin for Criterium International: Caleb Fairly, Chad Haga, Thierry Hupond, Cheng Ji, Fredrik Ludvigsson and Tom Veelers.