Peter Sagan will be supported by a young team at the 2017 Tour Down Under as Bora – hansgrohe makes its Australian debut.
Joining Sagan at the start line will be Australian young gun Jay McCarthy who finished fourth at the 2016 Tour Down Under.
“Bora – hansgrohe will field a really strong line up for the Santos Tour Down Under and have shown that they want to be competitive in their UCI WorldTour debut,” race director Mike Turtur said.
“With the reigning UCI World Champion Peter Sagan leading the team and returning to the TDU for the first time since 2010, it will be a really exciting and close-fought event in 2017.
“Sagan is an exceptional cyclist and a consistent performer. In 2010 he attacked during the last climb on Willunga Hill to finish the Stage in fifth place – I’m sure he’ll be looking for a podium finish to better his result.”
In announcing his return to the Tour Down Under, Sagan said he was looking forward to tough competition and a strong start to the 2017 UCI WorldTour season.
“This iconic Australian race brings the world’s best riders on a course that features tough climbs and fast sprints and I’m convinced its 19th edition could be the best so far,” he said.
“Returning, after seven years, to the race that set off my professional career is a great feeling and I look forward to riding on the roads of Adelaide and South Australia.”
The team Bora – hansgrohe rider roster competing at the 2017 Tour Down Under includes riders Peter Sagan, Sam Bennett, Gregor Muhlberger, Rüdiger Selig, Michael Kolar, Jay McCarthy and Lukas Pöstlberger.
