The Tour of the Basque Country, a six-day stage race in northern Spain, takes place from Monday 8 April until Saturday 13 April included. An individual time trial, three hilly stages and two stages through the mountains will determine who succeeds Primož Roglič. The 59th edition promises to be spectacular. Sports director Mario Aerts talks about the ambitions and the distribution of the roles within Lotto Soudal.
Mario Aerts, sports director at Lotto Soudal: “This year, the race starts with a tough time trial. The chrono test includes an 800 metres long climb with an average gradient of 14%. The second day includes some gravel roads which makes it a mini version of Strade Bianche.
Although it is merely five kilometres, it will cause some nervousness. The small roads are always risky, especially for riders who aim for the general classification. The third and fourth stage are not so difficult but the Basque Country remains an undulating region. The last two stages will be decisive for the overall because the riders head into the high mountains. Except for one, the distances of the stages are rather short but therefore not less spectacular. They often cause extra activity and are therefore as tough as the longer stages.”
“The Tour of the Basque Country is one of the main objectives for Bjorg Lambrecht. During the Volta a Catalunya I saw him getting beter every day. His condition is comparable to last year when got eighteenth, a nice result. The steep and irregular hills in that region suit him well. We thus hope that he can get a nice result in the general classification again. Hopefully he can do better than last year but it is also important that he shows himself during the different stages. Tosh Van der Sande will help Bjorg on the short climbs towards the finish. We do not have a real sprinter in our team but Tosh and Bjorg can handle this type of course.”
“The other riders can take their chances in the breakaway. Sander Armée and Maxime Monfort have already done it in 2016 but then they were caught on the final climb. Jelle Vanendert is also an important rider to assist Bjorg. Tomasz Marczyński, is working on his condition towards the Walloon Classics, just as Jelle. Adam Hansen is omni employable but he can also take his chances. Lotto Soudal is thus fully aiming for a stage win which is especially possible in the second, third and fourth stage. This is our main objective, more than the general classification.”
Line-up Lotto Soudal: Sander Armée, Adam Hansen, Bjorg Lambrecht, Tomasz Marczyński, Maxime Monfort, Tosh Van der Sande and Jelle Vanendert.
Sports directors: Mario Aerts and Marc Wauters.
