For Greg van Avermaet the Volta ao Algarve, which starts in Portugal on Wednesday, is the next step in his preparation for the Classics season.
For Greg van Avermaet, the Volta ao Algarve is the next step in his preparation for the Classics season. Photo: A.S.O./Pauline Ballet
This five-stage race comes two weeks after the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, in which the 34-year-old Belgian put in a strong performance.
“I feel good after five days of racing in Valencia and I’m looking forward to racing in Portugal. It’s good to be back into the racing rhythm as the legs are getting better every day,” said the CCC Team rider.
“So far everything has gone well when it comes to building my shape before the Classics season. Volta ao Algarve is the next step in my preparations.
“Of course I’ll do what I can for the team and try to achieve the best possible result. Looking at the parcours, the two stages that suit me best are stage one and the fourth stage, which finishes on the Malhão climb.”
For this race the Olympic champion will be joined by Matteo Trentin and Simon Geschke, who placed third overall at the Tour Down Under in January.
The team’s sports director Valerio Piva said that once again Van Avermaet and Trentin would line up together at Volta ao Algarve, where the first objective would be to win a stage.
“We saw them both racing well in Spain so I think we can build on this further in Portugal.
“We have a lot of our Classics group lining up at this race and for me this is important as it allows us to continue working together ahead of the first races in Belgium,” said Piva.
He added that, traditionally, the general classification was won on the climbs so they would take the race day by day.
“Of course, Geschke is coming into the race after a strong performance in Australia so I’m sure he will be motivated to continue racing well. And then
Patrick Bevin will also join us, so the time-trial on stage five will definitely be another target for us.”
The full team to compete in the Volta ao Algarve is Van Avermaet (BEL), Bevin (NZ), Geschke (GER), Trentin (ITA), Michael Schar (SUI), Gijs van Hoecke (BEL) and Nathan van Hooydonck (BEL).
