Orica GreenEdge confident in strength of squad, aiming to build on last year’s strong results
With two stages believed to be suitable to Andre Greipel, the Lotto Belisol team has said that it is aiming for at least one victory in the Eneco Tour, and possibly more.
The seven day WorldTour race begins tomorrow and directeur sportif Herman Frison makes clear that he has big expectations of the Belgian team.
“First of all we want to win a stage with André Greipel and if possible two,” he stated. “The first two stages we have the best chance for a victory. The stage to Vorst is pretty feisty, but it should definitely be possible.”
That second stage includes six climbs and is considerably tougher than the mainly flat 175.3 kilometre opening day to Ardooie.
However, with Greipel a more rounded rider than many of the pure sprinters in the sport, the stage could work in his favour if he is able to hang on.
The following three days see finishes in the Netherlands, at Brouwersdam, Vlijmen and Sittard-Geleen, with the latter being a 13.2 kilometre time trial that is certain to have a big shaping effect in the final overall standings.
So too next weekend’s stages, both of which are hilly and will break things up. The first takes the riders 150 tough kilometres from Riemst to La Redoute, with that final climb being scaled three times in all. The final stage next Sunday concludes with two circuits around Geraardsbergen, where the famous Muur will be tackled three times.
As regards the overall classification, Frison outlines the rider he believes is most capable in that area. “Our second goal is a good GC with Jürgen Roelandts, with the time trial and the finish on La
“The time trial isn’t that long. If Jürgen is good he should be able to control the damage. We aim for a place in the top ten of GC. The stages to La Redoute and Geraardsbergen are very tough and there can be many changes to GC.”
He and Greipel will be backed up by Sander Cordeel, Jens Debusschere, Gert Dockx, Jonas Van Genechten, Tim Wellens and Frederik Willems.
Meanwhile the Orica GreenEdge team is seeking to build on last year’s success in the race. Twelve months ago, Svein Tuft won the time trial, led the race going into the final day and finished just eleven seconds off the podium.
The team also won the team time trial and had two other riders inside the final top ten overall.
“Last year was very successful for us, with the incredible week that Svein had,” explained directeur sportif Laurenzo Lapage. “As a director, winning the team time trial in particular was a very special moment for me to be involved in.”
The team rode very strongly in the recent Tour de France, picking up a stage win with Simon Gerrans and then winning the team time trial. Gerrans and Daryl Impey both wore the maillot jaune, and the team ended with very high morale.
Lapage believes it can pick up on that momentum in the Benelux race. Impey, Tuft, Aidis Kruopis, Jens Keukeleire, Jens Mouris, Luke Durbridge, Pieter Weening and Sebastian Langeveld will all take part, and he sees specific roles for each.
“Coming off the Tour de France, we have Daryl Impey and Svein Tuft. Daryl is a real team rider, and he could produce a surprise overall result, depending on his recovery from the Tour. Jens [Mouris] and Svein are always important additions to any team, especially these tough Classic-style races. We also expect a good result from Svein in the time trial.
“Langeveld is our big Classics specialist,” he continued. “He’s ready to race and really motivated for Eneco, and he can also provide good team support when necessary. Keukeleire has showed in Burgos that he is in great condition, and racing so close to home will give him extra motivation.”
Also on the team is the Tour de Pologne winner Weening, and Lapage recognises he is in great form. He sees Kroupis as the rider most likely to do well in the sprints, and said that he would be given full support in that regard, while he said that Durbridge’s return from illness in Poland means that he won’t be under pressure.
“With the team we have selected, we have many different cards to play,” he stated. “We will start without a real leader, and day by day we will formulate a plan. Starting the individual time trial with a few riders in good overall positions is important to that plan.”
Eneco Tour (WorldTour):
Orica GreenEdge: Aidis Kruopis, Daryl Impey, Jens Keukeleire, Jens Mouris, Luke Durbridge, Pieter Weening, Sebastian Langeveld and Svein Tuft
Lotto Belisol: Sander Cordeel, Jens Debusschere, Gert Dockx, André Greipel, Jürgen Roelandts, Jonas Van Genechten, Tim Wellens and Frederik Willems.
Stages:
Stage 1: Monday 12th of August: Koksijde – Ardooie (175.3 km)
Stage 2: Tuesday 13th of August: Ardooie – Vorst (176.9 km)
Stage 3: Wednesday 14th of August: Oosterhout – Brouwersdam (187.3 km)
Stage 4: Thursday 15th of August: Essen – Vlijmen (169.6 km)
Stage 5: Friday 16th of August: Sittard-Geleen – Sittard-Geleen (13.2 km) (ITT)
Stage 6: Saturday 17th of August: Riemst – La Redoute (Aywaille) (150 km)
Stage 7: Sunday 18th of August: Tienen – Geraardsbergen (208 km)