De first race of the season on Italian soil awaits Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux this Wednesday on the occasion of the Trofeo Laigueglia (1.Pro, 2/03). Almost 4000 climbing meters have to be covered on the steep roads in the province of Savone.
The parcours of 204 kilometer is divided in two parts, with the first 150 kilometer offering a loop around Albenga with the Cima Paravenna (6.7km at 5.7%) and Testico (7.2km at 4.5%). Between those two climbs, the peloton will cover the Capo Mele (1.4 km at 5%), traditional climb from Milano-San Remo, for a first time before climbing it four times on the local laps together with the Colla Micheri (2km – 8,2%).
Lorenzo Rota finished tenth last year and fifth in 2020 and will be accompanied by his compatriots Domenico Pozzovivo and Simone Petilli. Belgian riders Jan Bakelants and Laurens Huys and Frenchman Théo Delacroix join them after a weekend in the hilly Drôme and Ardèche regions. Last but not least, vice European cyclocross champion Quinten Hermans will start his road season under the direction of Frederik Veuchelen.
« After a strong winter in the mud I enjoyed my holidays and spent a lot of time with friends and family whilst preparing for a fresh start. I resumed training two weeks ago with great appetite, because there are many nice races on my programme in which I want to distinguish myself the next couple of months. This intense Italian intermezzo with the Trofeo Laigueglia and Strade Bianche suited well in my preparation, which I will continue with a training camp on Tenerife next week. My goal is to help my teammates as long and as good as possible and to grab this opportunity to give them something back after all the sacrifices they have made for me last season. »
