Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Sivtsov to take on lead role for HTC-Highroad in Tour of Catalunya

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Parent Category: Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Category: News Cycling Pro Road & Mtb 2011

Published on Friday, 18 March 2011 13:29

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Former Tour of Georgia winner and specialist climber, Kanstantsin Sivtsov will be leading HTC-Highroad in the Tour of Catalunya in Spain, which starts on Monday.

"It's a very mountainous race this year, and with no time trial, the climbs will be what decides the outcome," says HTC-Highroad sports director Allan Peiper.

"This is a good chance for Kanstantsin to show us what he can do in a leader's role, although he'll be able to count on strong support in the hills from his team-mates Caleb Fairly, Craig Lewis and Patrick Gretsch."

"Gatis [Smukulis] is riding really well, too, this is his stage race in preparation for the Classics and we expect him to get in a few moves."

Catalunya also sees HTC-Highroad's Martin Velits return to racing after a bad crash in Paris-Nice.

"He's dealing well with the pain, he's been doing up to five and half hours on the rollers, so he want to tests his strength in a race scenario," Peiper says.

"There are plenty of opportunities for breakaways, because none of the stages barring the last is really flat, and our riders will take every chance they can to get in on those moves as well."

HTC-Highroad for Tour of Catalunya: Caleb Fairly (USA), Patrick Gretsch (Ger), Craig Lewis (USA), Frantisek Rabon (Cze), Kanstantsin Sivtsov (Byl), Gatis Smukulis (Lat), Maritn Velits (Svk).