Mapei’s “Top Team” for Flanders

The word is in from Alvaro Crespi, Team Manager of the MAPEI-Quick Step, as to who will form his “Top Team” for the Tour des Flandres, the 264 km second round of the World Cup, to run Sunday.

The Riders will be: Paolo Bettini, Laszlo Bodrogi, Fabien De Waele, Robert Hunter, Daniele Nardello, Tom Steels, Andrea Tafi, Stefano Zanini.

Even without Oscar Friere (sidelined with a knee problem) the team is full of strength to support Bettini as team leader. But Crespi will take a win for the team from any rider, and the more men he has left at the finish the better you bet…

Nardello has also been going well and could influence the race, Zanini was impressive at de Panne – winning the Stage 1 sprint. Tafi is a veteran of the classics and can win on any given day.

Robert Hunter of South Africa is also confident and recently told Eurosport that “We’ve got a really strong team. If I’m there in the front group after the 200km mark, I’ll be able to play my cards as well.”

“My form is good and I think I can honestly finish in the front group. It also depends on how much work we’ve got to do.”

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