Once again, Australia will be the stage on which Team LAMPRE-MERIDA will make their seasonal debut.
The 2014 season for Lampre-Merida will begin on January 19th at the People Choice’s Classic criterium, and will be quickly followed by World Tour race Santos Tour Down Under (21-26 January).
Seven riders will be directed by Bruno Vicino: Matteo Bono, Davide Cimolai, Roberto Ferrari, Manuele Mori, Rafael Valls Ferri, Diego Ulissi and Luca Wackermann. In the operating staff there will be masseurs Capelli and Napolitano, mechanics Romanò and Tiede and doctor De Grandi.
“Cimolai and Ferrari will be our key riders for sprints: I know they had a good rest period, so I think they could aim for interesting results,” Sport Director Vicino explained. “It will be also interesting to evaluate the competitiveness of Ulissi and, on his side, the one of Mori, Bono and Wackermann, who will have all freedom to chase a result. Welcome to Valls, at his first race in Team LAMPRE-MERIDA”.
Ulissi’s comment: “I’m really excited to live the Australian experience: it will be my first time in the Land Down Under, so I’m willing to fully live this new opportunity. I travelled a lot during my career, but Australian challenge gives me new spurs. Talking about my aims, it’s necessary to consider that Tour Down Under comes very early in the season, so it won’t so easy to go there to get a result, but of course I won’t brake if there will be the chance to battle for a very good performance.”
The Tour Down Under is a very interesting race for what concerns the courses and the chance that gives to the riders to work in the heat in order to improve their condition,” Ulissi added. “Team LAMPRE-MERIDA could be competitive, considering that in the team there will be two fast riders such Ferrari and Cimolai. Mori that likes so much mixed courses and three generous athletes such Bono, Valls and Wackermann. So, let’s start the season in a good way in Australia.”
Ron Callahan is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.