3rd January, 2018 – From 16 to 21 January, BAHRAIN MERIDA Team is ready for our first challenge in Adelaide, Australia. Started from Port Adelaide, one of the original commerce centers and shipping gateways to South Australia, we are striving for glory in 860 kilometers race in 6 days.
“We have a really strong lineup, it’s more of a team for GC, so the main focus will be on GC,” commented by our sports director Tristan Hoffman.
“Domenico and Izagirre brothers will share the leadership. Ion has been recovering well after Tour de France. Gorka finished 8th in GC in 2015. Domenico joined both of the training camps and showed his great personality. I look forward to seeing him again on the road. We hope all 3 riders finish at top 10.”
From Domenico Pozzovivo, one of our leaders: “I’m just working to be in a good shape at the start of TDU 2018. My objective will be to reach the top 10 in GC, doing some good performance in the two hilly stages (4th and 5th). I think we have a very good roster at the start of this race and for me it’s always a pleasure to start the season in South Australia because of the good weather, the beautiful roads to race and a very competent public following every stage.”
Ion Izagirre also showed great expectation in TDU: “First of all my main goal is recover the feeling that I had before the crash, take confidence back in the peloton with stress in downhill. I already done 2 times this race and I know which kind of stages are there. It’s a good race to start the season, it’s summer, short stages, not too much transfers. We go with Pozzovivo and my brother, which is very important to me. So in my opinion, we are going to have a very strong team there.”
Meanwhile, after a successful operation, Ramūnas Navardauskas will be in our lineup again, the new season for him could be nervous but exciting as well:
“For me, 2018 is very important as my comeback from last year’s problems. So Tour Down Under is super important for me. I know I will not be at my best, but I can’t wait to see where my form is at. I am looking forward to helping my teammates. I miss to ride Merida bike in a race with Bahrain-Merida jersey!”
BAHRAIN MERIDA Team’s lineup for Tour Down Under is: Manuele Boaro, Valerio Agnoli, Yukiya Arashiro, Ramūnas Navardauskas, Ion Izagirre, Gorka Izagirre and Domenico Pozzovivo.
