Lotto Belisol: Preview Paris-Tours

The end of the season is approaching. Next Sunday the riders will take part in the 107th edition of Paris-Tours. For the last classic of the season they have to cover 235 kilometers. Eight Lotto Belisol riders will attend this race from the Europe Tour where they will battle against local hero Arnaud Démare, the Belgian Greg Van Avermaet and the Germans John Degenkolb and Gerald Ciolek. The last one won this year’s tough edition of Milan – Sanremo.

That the start of Paris-Tours isn’t situated in the French capital, isn’t a secret. The start takes place in Authon-du-Perche, then the riders get a relatively flat part to begin with. In the final they have to get over some hills. At about 30,5 km from the finish line it’s time for the Côte de Crochu and at 10 km from the end the punchers get an ultimate chance to try something on the Côte de Beau Soleil. After 235 km we possibly get a bunch sprint on the famous Avenue de Grammont. Lotto Belisol can rely on guys like Jens Debusschere and Jürgen Roelandts, who are in great shape.

Bart Leysen, sports director: “Sunday we play the card of Jürgen Roelandts. Last week in the Eurométropole Tour Jürgen rode for Jens Debusschere, with success. Jürgen and Jens are in an excellent condition, they proved that in the Eurométropole Tour and Binche-Chimay-Binche.”

“Jens Debusschere is our leader of the second line who definitely can ride such a final. It’s especially important that we don’t let ourselves get pushed aside in the bustle and can start the hills well in front, because we can’t afford to be surprised.”

Selection Lotto Belisol: Lars Bak, Gaëtan Bille, Stig Broeckx, Jens Debusschere, Kenny Dehaes, Gert Dockx, Fréderique Robert and Jürgen Roelandts.
Sports director: Bart Leysen

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