Omega Pharma-Quick Step starts the 18th Tour de Langkawi with a team designed to take on the different challenges of the Malaysian race. With two tough mountain finishes, at Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands, the general classification is generally fought out between the climbers, while the rest of the race is often dominated by the sprinters.
"The most important stages are the 3rd and 5th stages, which will be good for the climbers," explained the team’s directeur sportif Rik Van Slycke. "A climber can be the winner of this race because there is no time trial. We have two climbers —Serge Pauwels and Pieter Serry — riding Tour de Langkawi.
“Pauwels has been training in Australia with Andy Fenn,” he explained. “We can expect something from him on the climbing stages. Normally, we would also have Gianluca Brambilla, but he is recovering from bronchitis and cannot be at the start. Gianluca will be replaced by Bert Grabsch.”
The Belgian team’s six-man line up is equally divided between riders that competed in the Santos Tour Down Under in January, and those that rode the various races of the Mallorca Challenge earlier this month. With two riders aiming at the general classification, it will be 22-year-old British sprinter Fenn (pictured) that will be flying the team’s colours on the flatter stages, as he looks to build on a solid performance in Australia.
"As for the sprints, we have Andy Fenn," Van Slycke continued. "We will try to put him in the best position possible to play a role in the sprint. Our goals are to put one rider amongst the best of GC, and win at least one of the 10 stages. It's a long race overall, but each stage is not so long. Stage 6 is 212.8km, but the rest will be short and nervous. We will see what we can do to get good results!"
Omega Pharma-Quick Step for the Tour de Langkawi
Andrew Fenn, Michal Golas, Bert Grabsch, Serge Pauwels, Pieter Serry, Carlos Verona