Having been set back by illness, Jelle Vanendert returns to competition in the Tour Austria which starts today with a tough miuntain stage. The Belgian leads a young Lotto Belisol team in search of stage wins.

There are other cycling races scheduled than the Tour de France in July. Saturday a part of the peloton left for Austria to compete in the Tour of Austria from Sunday the 6th of July until the 13th of July. It will be a tough edition again. It will be the first pro race for Louis Vervaeke, who comes over from the Lotto Belisol U23 team.
 
In the first stage the riders will immediately be put to the test with finish on the Sonntagberg. In stage two there will probably sprinted for the victory. The longest stage is contested on the third day. After 206 kilometers the peloton gets a tough finish on Kitzbüheler Horn, a climb hors catégorie. Also in the fourth and fifth stage cols of first and second category are on the route. In stage six there's a summit finish for the third time. On the penultimate day there's an individual time trial of just over 24 kilometers and the Tour of Austria finishes on Sunday with a possible bunch sprint on a flat course.
 
For the sprints Lotto Belisol relies on Jonas Van Genechten. Jelle Vanendert makes his comeback after a pyelitis. The opponents will be among other Ivan Basso, Bob Jungels and Daniel Martin.
 
"There are many riders in our team who have already raced very much and now take the time to reload the batteries," sports director Bart Leysen said. "In our selection for Austria we especially have riders who are preparing for the last part of the season. We have a young, motivated team.

"We'll have to see how Jelle Vanendert responds after his illness. He wants to know where he stands in the tough stages. He will pick out a stage, depending on how he feels on the day.
 
"This year it will be a tough Tour of Austria again. Just like in 2013 there has to be climbed in the first stage already. I expect that after the first stage there will be about ten riders who still can battle for GC. But our main ambition is of course a stage win. Then we'll see how it goes in GC."
 
Selection Lotto Belisol: Vegard Breen, Sean De Bie, Gert Dockx, Boris Vallée, Jonas Van Genechten, Dennis Vanendert, Jelle Vanendert and Louis Vervaeke.