Vincenzo Nibali will lead Bahrain-Merida at this weekend’s Tour of Flanders as he bids to win back-to-back Monuments. It will also mark the first time that the Italian has lined up at the Belgian classic.
“Our line-up is highly motivated to achieve good result and get into a fight with this demanding and unique race,” says Bahrain-Merida sport director Tristan Hoffman.
“Our riders who will not be in a breakaway or on a specific job will stay around Vincenzo. The crucial point is to be up front, well positioned when we enter the ‘Oude Kwaremont’ [for the] 2nd time (km 210) in order to make the cut.”
From the start and for the first 100 kilometres, Luka Pibernik, Borut Božic and Ivan Cortina have been instructed to cover any breakaway moves with more than ten riders.
Then, from km 100 to the Oude Kwaremont climb at km 210, Kristijan Koren and Sonny Corbrelli need to try to get into the moves. Inside the final 55 kilometres, Nibali is the rider who will aim for a big result, with Heinrich Haussler instructed to stay close to him and to ensure the team has two riders in the final.
