Yesterday, Circus-Wanty Gobert-Tormans was invited to Paris-Nice (2.UWT, 8-15/03), starting next Sunday in Plaisir. The peloton will leave the Parisian suburbs following a Northeastern ax towards Nice.
The first stages offer opportunities for sprinters, even if they'll have to take into account the presence of the wind when crossing open fields. Saint-Amand-Montrond is the decor of the 15.5 kilometer individual time trial on day four, before the longest stage of 227 kilometer between Gannat and La Côte-Saint-André the next day. The peloton will reach the Côte d'Azur in Nice for the start of the queen stage with finish on top of Valdeblore la Colmiane. The eight day race will be concluded on Sunday by a hilly stage around Nice.
Circus-Wanty Gobert-Tormans selected a balanced team for its first participation. Xandro Meurisse and Fabien Doubey are the assets for the hilly and mountain stages. Fast riders Danny van Poppel and Andrea Pasqualon will be assisted by Boy van Poppel, Tom Devriendt, Aimé De Gendt and Pieter Vanspeybrouck.
Aimé De Gendt:
« We hoped for a long time that the Strade Bianche would take place. It's both for us and for the organisation regrettable that the event has to be cancelled. Our plan B was a training camp in Spain, but the invitation for Paris-Nice offered a better alternative! We're travelling to Paris with a balanced squad. The van Poppel brothers are strong contenders for the sprints, with Xandro Meurisse and Fabien Doubey targeting the hilly stages. I'll probably focus on breakaways. »
Xandro Meurisse:
« After having ridden on the Strade Bianche course, I was very disappointed about the cancellation. The long wait and upheal about the possible cancellation took a lot of energy, but when Hilaire Van der Schueren announced that I could ride Paris-Nice, my happiness was back. So after a good and nice training on the white Tuscan roads, we grabbed the opportunity from ASO with both hands! »
« With this squad we can play a role on all terrains. Some of the stages suit me. After the first three days, in which the wind can play a major role, we can start looking the the general classification and set goals. »
Danny van Poppel:
« This last minute change comes at just the right time. After a mediocre start of the season, I’m feeling good now. This race is a very positive addition to the preparation for the classics. I’m ambitious for the first three sprint stages. We’ll have a strong team at the start. I’m looking forward to it! »
Hilaire Van der Schueren:
« Health takes precedence over everything, and the measures are very strict. The cancellation of the Italian races is very regrettable. However, we're very happy with our invite for Paris-Nice! Our first participation is a godsend, so we'll show our presence! We aim for places of honor in the sprint stages, and we're even dreaming about a stage victory. I'm also curious about Xandro Meurisse's performances for the general classification. »
Paris-Nice:
8/03: Stage 1: Plaisir - Plaisir - 154km
9/03: Stage 2: Chevreuse - Chalette-sur-Loing - 166,5 km
10/03: Stage 3: Chalette-Sur-Loing - La Châtre - 214 km
11/03: Stage 4: Saint-Amand-Montrond - Saint-Amand-Montrond - 15,5 km
12/03: Stage 5: Gannat - La Côte-Saint-André - 227 km
13/03: Stage 6: Sorgues - Apt 161,5 km
14/03: Stage 7: Nice - Valdeblore la Colmiane 166,5 km
15/03: Stage 8: Nice - Nice - 113,5 km
The selection of Circus-Wanty Gobert-Tormans:
🇧🇪 Aimé De Gendt
🇧🇪 Tom Devriendt
🇫🇷 Fabien Doubey
🇧🇪 Xandro Meurisse
🇮🇹 Andrea Pasqualon
🇳🇱 Boy van Poppel
🇳🇱 Danny van Poppel
🇧🇪 Pieter Vanspeybrouck
The sportive direction:
🇧🇪 Steven De Neef
🇧🇪 Hilaire Van der Schueren
