Slovakian champion starting in Argentina again as he hopes to repeat last spring’s form
Peter Sagan (Cannondale) will start his 2014 season as he began 2013, at the Tour de San Luis, and hopes that the Argentine race will lead him to similar success this year. Although the Slovakian champion failed to win a stage in San Luis last time - with his best finish coming with second place in the seventh and final stage - he took two stage wins in the Tour of Oman just two weeks later, and never looked back.
“Even though in 2013 I only scored placings, the Tour de San Luis was a great way to start the season, both for the level of competition as well as for the routes,” Sagan said. “The work performed with the team in December was positive. I set a foundation that will allow me to race in top form in the upcoming months.
“On paper there are several finishes suited to my skills," he continued. “This is the first race of the year and it isn’t easy to tell how competitive I can be. I’m definitely going to try to take advantage of every available occasion to start 2014 in the best way possible.”
Although it is also sending a strong team to the WorldTour Santos Tour Down Under at the same time, Sagan should receive all the support he needs from his Cannondale teammates in San Luis. Alongside the Slovakian champion will be much of the green team’s Classics formation, including Strade Bianche winner Moreno Moser, Dwars door Vlaanderen winner Oscar Gatto and former Paris-Tours winner, new signing Marco Marcato.
Aside from the team’s Classics riders, Cannondale’s general classification hopes will be carried by climbers Damiano Caruso and Alessandro De Marchi.
“Although we are only in the beginning of the season, we know that we will be ready at the starting line for the Tour de San Luis with an important formation,” said directeur sportif Stefano Zanatta. “There are various factors that could influence our performance in the debut, but we have riders fit for all the terrains in the race and we are going to try to make the most of our potential in order to obtain important results. Sagan will be our rider of reference but our strategy will be to support whoever will have the best chance at a result from day to day.”
Cannondale Pro Cycling team to the Tour de San Luis
Peter Sagan, Moreno Moser, Damiano Caruso, Alessandro De Marchi, Oscar Gatto, Marco Marcato