CyclingQuotes.com uses cookies for statistics and targeting ads. This information is shared with third parties.
ACCEPT COOKIES » MORE INFO »

Every day we bring you more pro-cycling news

"It’s a perfect route to build up a good work base. I definitely won’t be starting out to win because I’m still behind in my preparation and over all because the South Americans will be arriving in top form and highly...

Photo: Sirotti

ALBERTO LOSADA

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

ANGEL VICIOSO

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

DANIEL MORENO

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

GIAMPAOLO CARUSO

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

JOAQUIM RODRIGUEZ OLIVER

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

LUCA PAOLINI

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

TOUR DE SAN LUIS

RACE PROFILE
|
NEWS
04.01.2014 @ 15:38 Posted by Emil Axelgaard

Katusha has selected a formidable roster for their first race of the season, the Tour de San Luis, where team captain Joaquim Rodriguez will make his season debut. However, the Russian team will mainly use the race as preparation and has no big ambitions in the Argentinean event.

 

The official start of the road season is approaching and Katusha is preparing itself for its first race of the season, the Tour de San Luis. The team will send most of its A team and stage racers to the Argentinean race and has selected what on paper is a formidable roster.

 

The team will be led by Joaquim Rodriguez who will start his preparation for his major goals in the Ardennes classics, the Giro d'Italia, the Vuelta a Espana and the World Championships. He will be supported by his loyal lieutenant Daniel Moreno who will have the Ardennes classics and the Vuelta as his focus points in a season that will allow him to chase more personal success.

 

The star duo will be joined by their strong climbing domestiques Giampaolo Caruso, Alberto Losada and Angel Vicioso to form a team that is suited to the mountainous course that features three summit finishes, one flat time trial and three sprint stages. Classics specialist Luca Paolini completes the roster, with the Italian using the race to build up for the defence of his Omloop Het Nieuwsblad title in two months times.

 

Although the team looks strong on paper, the ambitions are modest.

 

“I’m going to start with the Tour de San Luis, a race I particularly enjoy because of the climate, the mental approach, the route and the level of the participants," Rodriguez said. "Last year went especially well for me and this year we also decided to take part.

 

"Furthermore, the stages are varied, with no less than three summit finishes plus a time trial," he added. "It’s a perfect route to build up a good work base. I definitely won’t be starting out to win because I’m still behind in my preparation and over all because the South Americans will be arriving in top form and highly motivated.

 

Rodriguez again repeated his season goals.

 

My main objectives for 2014 will be the Ardennes classics with the Liege-Bastogne-Liege first and foremost and the Giro d’Italia, the major stage race that is well suited to my skills," he said. "At the Tour de France there is an individual time trial that is too long. For the second part of the season on the other hand, I’ll be aiming for the Vuelta a España and after that the World Championships that will be held on our home turf and with which I still have some unfinished business.”

 

Sports director Claudio Cozzi will lead the Russian team in Argentina and he was in line with Rodriguez' modest ambitions.

 

“This is the first time because last year unfortunately as soon as we landed in Argentina I had to turn around and go back home for an unexpected death in the family," he said. "It’s a very beautiful, challenging route. Without a doubt one of the more prepared riders will win it. The guys are very motivated because they love this climate and the South American approach. We won’t be too stressed out but if the occasion should present itself, we definitely won’t hold back. "

 

Last year the team lined up an almost identical roster, with Caruso being replaced by Xavier Florencio who has not ended his career. On that occasion, they had a similar approach and failed to have much impact on the racing. Moreno was best on GC in 21st and Florencio had the best stage result when he finished 12th in a sprint. Rodriguez finished back in 55th, more than 26 minutes in arrears.

 

The race runs from January 20 to 27 and was last won by local rider Daniel Diaz.

MORE NEWS:

VIEW SELECTED

Bycykling 101: Navigering i byens gader og cykelvenlige... 27.11.2023 @ 12:11The Best Danish Cyclist To Bet On At 2022 Tour De France 13.01.2022 @ 15:262022 Upcoming Tournament Overview 03.01.2022 @ 09:45Best Place to Find Stand-Up Paddleboards 16.06.2021 @ 08:16What are Primoz Roglic’s Chances to Win 2021 Tour de Fr... 17.03.2021 @ 08:37Amazing victory by young champion Sarah Gigante 04.02.2021 @ 14:21Three reasons why cycling is one of the best ways to ex... 28.09.2020 @ 12:03Why do businesses use meeting room managers? 14.09.2020 @ 13:42Five things that you can do, if you want to gain more f... 20.08.2020 @ 15:38One for the road 09.06.2020 @ 15:25List of CyclingQuotes previews 07.05.2020 @ 13:20Blue Energy: room for all interests 26.08.2019 @ 12:56Get your daily dose of exercise at home 08.07.2019 @ 10:443 good advice to be able to afford your favorite bike 25.02.2019 @ 12:32Cycle through gorgeous landscapes 22.10.2018 @ 21:41Balance Your Economy and Diet and Start Saving Money 08.10.2018 @ 11:18Stay Safe: 3 Helmets That Can Keep Your Head Protected... 20.07.2018 @ 07:59Planning to bet on Tour De France - Bet types and strat... 24.05.2018 @ 14:18Basics of cycling betting 25.10.2017 @ 13:10Bauer moves to ORICA-SCOTT 28.08.2017 @ 10:45End of the road for CyclingQuotes 08.01.2017 @ 16:00Rui Costa confirms Giro participation 07.01.2017 @ 12:55Van Avermaet: I am not afraid of Sagan 07.01.2017 @ 09:45Unchanged course for E3 Harelbeke 07.01.2017 @ 09:32Jenner takes surprise win at Australian U23 Championships 07.01.2017 @ 08:53No replacement for Meersman at Fortuneo-Vital Concept 06.01.2017 @ 19:14Barguil with two goals in 2017 06.01.2017 @ 19:06More details about French Vuelta start emerges 06.01.2017 @ 14:16Kristoff to start season at Etoile de Besseges 06.01.2017 @ 14:10Ion Izagirre announces schedule for first year at Bahrain 06.01.2017 @ 12:40JLT Condor optimistic for Herald Sun Tour 06.01.2017 @ 09:19Haas leads Dimension Data trio in fight for Australian... 06.01.2017 @ 09:15Sagan spearheads Bora-hansgrohe at Tour Down Under 06.01.2017 @ 09:12Henao and Thomas lead Sky Down Under 06.01.2017 @ 09:09Bauer crowned New Zealand TT champion 06.01.2017 @ 08:33Van der Poel ready to defend Dutch title 05.01.2017 @ 21:00Pantano ambitious for first Tour with Trek 05.01.2017 @ 20:41Landa with new approach to the Giro 05.01.2017 @ 20:36Sunweb Development Team sign Goos and Zepuntke 05.01.2017 @ 20:27Dumoulin confirms Giro participation 05.01.2017 @ 20:19Bauer targets victories in Quick-Step debut 05.01.2017 @ 20:16Gaviria and Boonen lead Quick-Step in San Juan 05.01.2017 @ 20:13Team Sunweb presented in Germany 05.01.2017 @ 20:09ASO take over major German WorldTour race 05.01.2017 @ 11:01Team Sunweb unveil new jersey 05.01.2017 @ 10:54Reactions from the Australian TT Championships 05.01.2017 @ 08:27Dennis defends Australian TT title 05.01.2017 @ 08:21Scotson takes back to back U23 TT titles in Australia 05.01.2017 @ 08:15Utrecht on track to host 2020 Vuelta 04.01.2017 @ 18:28Pre-season setback for Talansky 04.01.2017 @ 17:56Kristoff: It's not impossible for me to win in Rou... 04.01.2017 @ 17:49Boom close to first cyclo-cross win in LottoNL debut 04.01.2017 @ 17:40UAE Abu Dhabi make late signing of Arab rider 04.01.2017 @ 17:36UAE Abu Dhabi unveil new jersey 04.01.2017 @ 17:30BMC unveil race schedule 04.01.2017 @ 17:21

Currently no news in this list

Mathias FRANK
38 years | today
Diego LOPEZ FUENTES
27 years | today
Acke DAHLBLOM
20 years | today
Nathalie JEULAND
39 years | today
Paul HENNEQUIN
22 years | today

© CyclingQuotes.com