CYCLING – Team Bahrain Victorious are set to compete in the BEMER Cyclassics, covering 197.9km with 1,000 metres of climbing, taking place tomorrow.
The race includes three gruelling ascents of the Waseberg (800m at eight per cent, with sections up to 15 per cent), and after the third climb, 15km remain to the finish. History suggests a fast-paced bunch sprint is likely.
Phil Bauhaus will be Bahrain Victorious’ ‘plan A’, racing on home soil with the support of Nikias Arndt. Yukiya Arashiro and Lukasz Wisniowski will focus on keeping the team in optimal positions for the crucial climbs.
Fred Wright, making his debut in this event, will be on the lookout for late attacks. Alberto Bruttomesso starts for the first time, and his focus will be on the early part of the race. Robert Stannard, back racing after a year out, will strengthen the team’s efforts with his support in key moments.
Bahrain Victorious sports director Enrico Poitschke commented: “It is an important WorldTour race, one of the biggest one-day races in Germany, and we have a very good team on the start line.
“Phil, a very fast guy, and we have Nikias, a very good support for him. But we also have Fred, an option to follow attacks. And there are the guys like Wisniowski, Yuki, and Stannard for positioning.
“With young Italian talent Bruttomesso completing the seven-man lineup, hopefully they will be in the right place at the key moments and can do a good lead-out for the final sprint.
“The guys are very motivated. We hope for a good result. As Germans, Phil and Nikias always look forward to this event.
“Let’s say the goal of the team is to finish in the first five, which is definitely possible with this team we have there.”
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