With stage wins for Tony Gallopin and André Greipel and a stint in yellow for the former, Lotto-Belisol had a successful Tour de France. Next year the team hopes to repeat its success and plans to line up youngster Tim Wellens for his maiden experience in La Grande Boucle.
"Something for everyone", Lotto-Belisol manager Marc Sergeant told Sporza when asked to analyze the 2015 Tour de France. "It's not really a tour for the sprinters and time trialists but it is certainly not just for climbers either."
"The sprinters get a few chances but they have to work to get the chance to sprint for the win. I find it beautiful. The organizers don't like controlled stages. A bunch sprint is a possibility but you have to work for it."
The bonus seconds are back in the first week.
"This will make the battle more exciting. After the opening time trial, there will be clear differences but thanks to the bonifications, a sprinter may still take the yellow jersey."
The team time trial comes very late in the race, on day 9.
"Here ASO take a risk. They have sought the limits of the regulations. If you have already lost two riders, it will have consequences."
Sergeant especially sees opportunities for an "attacker" like Tony Gallopin but will he also go to Utrecht with Eneco Tour champion Tim Wellens?
"That's the expectation," says Sergeant. "Tim did a good Giro: offensive and wtith good results. If he starts, he won't have GC ambitions. He is still too young for that. But he can certainly win a stage."
And what about Jurgen Van den Broeck? He didn't attend the presentation.
"I didn't think it was a good idea for him to go. After two failures, it would have been a mental mental challenge. But that does not have any further consequences. Jurgen needs to gain confidence in the smaller stage races and then we'ss see whether the Tour should be a real goal."
20.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
17.04 - 21.04: Tour de Tunisie |
18.04 - 21.04: Eroica Juniores |
19.04 - 21.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
20.04 - 21.04: Gipuzkoa Klasika |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège |
21.04: Giro della Romagna |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem U23 |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem Junior |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes |
Isotta BARBIERI 29 years | today |
Leonardo SCARSELLI 49 years | today |
Xavier NIEVES 31 years | today |
Stefan JOVANOVIC 29 years | today |
Sofian Nabil MOHD BAKRI 31 years | today |
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