A team almost entirely composed of Russian riders and led by the 2013 Giro d’Italia stage winner Maxim Belkov has been confirmed for the Santos Tour Down Under, which will get underway in twelve days’ time in Adelaide.
The Giro stage nine victor will have a chance to try out his early season form in the event and, if his condition is good, to get his 2014 palmares off to a good start in the event.
Race director Mike Turtur anticipates a good showing from the squad. “Katusha always come to the Santos Tour Down Under with a strong team and after a year away from the race they will want a good start to the 2014 season,” he said.
“Belkov showed his strength when he attacked on the descent of stage nine of the 2013 Giro D’Italia and held on to take the stage.
“Katusha are also bringing Aleksandr Porsev who won the first stage of the 2013 Tour of Luxembourg, so we can expect a strong performance from the Russian team.”
In addition to the two aforementioned riders, the team will also include four other Russians: the long distance breakaway specialist Mikhail Ignatyev, Pavel Kochetkov, Egor Silin and Eduard Vorganov. The sole rider on the team who does not hail from the country is the Austrian Marco Haller.
The team was unable to take part in the race in 2013 due to a dispute with the UCI over its WorldTour status. It was initially denied a top ranked licence, but successfully appealed this before the Court of Arbitation for Sport.
The programme of racing begins with the People’s Choice Classic in Adelaide on January 19th. The WorldTour event itseln starts on January 21st with a 135 kilometre race from Nuriootpa to Angaston. Subsequent finishes will take place in Stirling, Campbelltown, Victor Harbor, Willunga Hill and Adelaide.
Katusha’s lineup for the Santos Tour Down Under:
Maxim Belkov (Russia)
Marco Haller (Austria)
Mikhail Ignatyev (Russia)
Pavel Kochetkov (Russia)
Egor Silin (Russia)
Aleksandr Porsev (Russia)
Eduard Vorganov (Russia)
Stage details:
Sunday 19 January: People’s Choice Classic, Adelaide (50km)
Monday 20 January: Rest day
Tuesday 21 January: Stage 1, Nuriootpa to Angaston (135km)
Wednesday 22 January: BikeExchange.com.au Stage 2, Prospect to Stirling (150km)
Thursday 23 January: Stage 3, Norwood to Campbelltown (145km)
Friday 24 January: Bupa Stage 4, Unley to Victor Harbor (148.5km)
Saturday 25 January: Stage 5, McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill (151.5km)
Sunday 26 January: Stage 6, Adelaide (95km)