ORICA-BikeExchange remain in the Basque country this weekend, bringing in a diverse team for Sunday's one-day race, Circuito de Getxo.
In the past five editions of the event, the race has been held on a 17kilometre circuit around the city of Getxo, covering ten laps to make a total distance of 170kilometres and finishing on a flat section, repeatedly concluding with a bunch sprint.
This year the the finish line has moved and riders will have to tackle the tough 700metre incline up to the finish line, making the possible outcome of the race very different.
Sport director Dave McPartland expects it to be an interesting finale and is confident in with the diversity of the ORICA-BikeExchange team line up.
"It's only a short climb up to the finish, but a hard one," explained sport director Dave McPartland. "Simon Yates is a good rider for this kind of finish and he's shown great form coming off his recent win.
"We also have Amets Txurruka and it is a really good race for him, also with him being a local rider it's a great opportunity for him to take."
Joining the two talented climbers are 22-year-old Jack Haig along with Christian Meier who comes straight in from San Sebastian.
Rounding up the six-rider team is the speedy duo, Caleb Ewan and Luka Mezgec adding fresh legs to the team.
"We have a small team just six riders," continued McPartland. "At his race teams can have up to ten riders so will be looking to put our guys into the early moves and have good representation throughout the race.
"It's a good opportunity to give some of the guys a chance to go for themselves who normally don't, with it being a slightly smaller race and less WorldTour teams starting."
The riders will have ten laps to settled into the race and feel the climbs before the final ascent to the line. The climb begins with a 8.8% gradient before it eases off slightly down to 5.5%. However, with a peak of 14% it will certainly put a sting in the sprinters legs ahead.
"It's going to be a fight right the way until the line and there will definitely be some tired legs at the end."
ORICA-BikeExchange at Circuito de Getxo (31st July):
Caleb Ewan (AUS, NSW, 22)
Jack Haig (AUS, VIC, 22)
Christian Meier (CAN, 31)
Luka Mezgec (SLO, 28)
Amets Txurruka (ESP, 32)
Simon Yates (GBR, 23)
Denas MASIULIS 25 years | today |
Igor BOEV 35 years | today |
Michael VINK 33 years | today |
Jon-Anders BEKKEN 26 years | today |
Anthony SAUX 33 years | today |
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