[Andy Schleck]

TIRRENO. Peter Velits capitano della Omega Pharma Quick Step


Sarà lo slovacco Peter Velits, già vincitore quest’anno del Gior dell’Oman, il capitano della Omega Pharma Quick Step sulle strade della Tirreno-Adriatico. Accanto al talento slovacco ci saranno l’italiano Dario Cataldo, il tedeschi Gerald Ciolek e Bert Grabsch, il francese Jerome Pineau, l’olandese Niki Terpstra ed i belgi Serge Pauwels e Gert Steegmans.


Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team has officially announced the team that will participate in the Tirreno Adriatico race from March 7th to the 13th, 2012, for a total of 1063 km.
“It’s going to be a very challenging race,” explains Sports Director Davide Bramati. “The opening team time trial and the concluding individual time trial will be spectacular but the race will be decided in the 5th stage with arrival at Prato di Tivo. The final climb is 14 kilometres long with an average incline of 7% and stretches as steep as 12%. As far as the general classification, the team will be built around Peter Velits, the fantastic winner of the Tour of Oman. Peter will have a balanced team at his side, with riders who can support him both in the climbs as well as on the flatter stages. In the stages for sprinters we can count on Gert Steegmans and Gerald Ciolek who are both enjoying a period of top form; for the time trials we have the skills of Bert Grabsch.”
As a measure of precaution Martin Velits will not race in the Tirreno Adriatico. The Slovakian rider on the team was involved in a fall during the Omloop Het Nieuwsbald and took a hit to his right knee. After a few days of rest Martin Velits has resumed his training regimen on the road to prepare for upcoming races. Serge Pauwels will substitute the Slovakian rider.

Riders: Dario Cataldo (ITA), Gerald Ciolek (GER), Bert Grabsch (GER), Serge Pauwels (BEL), Jerome Pineau (FRA), Gert Steegmans (BEL), Niki Terpstra (NED) and Peter Velits (SVK)
Sports Director:  Davide Bramati (ITA), Wilfried Peeters (BEL), Rik van Slycke (BEL)

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