ProTeam Sprint train aims to lead Caleb Ewan to stage victories in Tirreno-Adriatico

With Caleb Ewan and Tim Wellens as team leaders, Lotto Soudal shows ambition for the Tirreno-Adriatico. The Belgian WorldTour team focuses on stage victories with Caleb Ewan in the race that connects the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Sea. Tim Wellens and also Maxim Van Gils aim for a high spot in the General Classification.

Tirreno-Adriatico starts on Monday with a time trial in Marina di Pietrosanta. Afterwards there are two sprint stages, two stages for the puncheurs, a difficult mountain stage and a closing sprint stage in San Benedetto del Tronto.

“We are here with almost my entire sprint train. Only Jasper De Buyst is missing. Therefore, it is obvious that we want to go for sprint victories”, says Caleb Ewan. Rüdiger Selig, Michael Schwarzmann and Roger Kluge will, together with Harry Sweeny, make sure that Caleb Ewan is put in perfect position to make his decisive move in the sprint.

Next to that, the Australian sprinter hopes to do his final preparations for Milan-Sanremo during Tirreno-Adriatico. “That is my main goal this spring. This race is the perfect preparation for it. If everything goes as planned, I will be ready for La Primavera after this week.”

In the more difficult stages, Tim Wellens and Maxim Van Gils will aim for a good result. “Top 10 in the GC is definitely possible”, says sports director Allan Davis. “Although the competition is stronger than last year, the parcours proves to be less difficult. Tim ended 7^th back then. Maxim has also showed that he is capable of going a long way in tough races, as he won the Saudi Tour. They will both get their chances.”

“The decision will be made in the sixth stage”, adds Tim Wellens. “If I am strong enough there, I will also be in a good GC spot in the end.”