Susanna Zorzi races in Drenthe this weekend

This weekend the Dutch province Drenthe is the centre of women’s cycling. On Saturday the Boels Rental Tour of Drenthe takes place and on Sunday it’s time for the Novilon Eurocup.

Susanna Zorzi will ride the Tour of Drenthe and Novilon Eurocup. It’s the first season of the 23-year-old Italian, who celebrates her birthday today, in the Lotto Soudal Ladies team. This year she already rode three races for her new team. In the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad she finished as 25th. She arrived in a group at 2’33” of winner Anna van der Breggen. In Le Samyn Susanna was 36th, she finished at only sixteen seconds of number one Chantal Blaak. In the Strade Bianche Zorzi had to abandon after a crash. The physical consequences were not too bad and she’s ready to race this weekend.

Susanna Zorzi: “I crashed in the Strade Bianche on the first gravel section and abandoned. My shoulder and back hurt. I feel better now, but still have contusions. I could train this week and I’m ready for the races of this weekend. Of course it’s a pity that I had to abandon Strade Bianche. I think it’s a great initiative, races that are organized for men and women.”

“I’m a rider for classic races, with hills and cobbles. I won’t wait for a sprint, because I’m not fast enough. I love to be in a breakaway and race at a high speed. The Tour of Flanders – my favourite race – and Ghent-Wevelgem are my goals for this spring. I’ll ride Ghent-Wevelgem for the first time, but it’s definitely a race that should suit me.”

“At the beginning of a new season I always need some time to get back in the race rhythm. I already feel good, but want to set better results in the next races for me and the team. If I see an opportunity this weekend to attack I’ll definitely do it. If I can’t escape the peloton, I’ll help Elena Cecchini when it comes to a group sprint.”

Selection Tour of Drenthe: Elena Cecchini, Jessie Daams, Lieselot Decroix, Chantal Hoffmann, Carlee Taylor and Susanna Zorzi.

Selection Novilon Eurocup: Elena Cecchini, Lieselot Decroix, Chantal Hoffmann, Molly Meyvisch, Jesse Vandenbulcke and Susanna Zorzi.

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