After a memorable 100th edition in 2017 which saw Tom Dumoulin secure his first grand tour victory, Team Sunweb are back at the Giro d’Italia to defend their title.
Dumoulin will be joined by Chad Haga, Chris Hamilton, Laurens ten Dam, Lennard Hofstede, Roy Curvers and Sam Oomen and Louis Vervaeke.
“We go into the 101st Giro with similar targets to last year; looking for a GC result with Tom,” explained Team Sunweb coach Marc Reef.
“Lining up as defending champions will bring special dynamics into both the team and the race, and we will be prepared for that. Fighting for a GC result is entirely different in comparison to a stage success focus – everybody in the team needs to be completely focused for three weeks in-a-row, which is very demanding for all. We learned a lot from last year and we will bring this experience into the mix for this edition.
“Tom, Sam and Louis have been on a team altitude camp at Sierra Nevada to put in final training efforts and once again, video recons and analyses of data from the key stages will beneficial in preparing our guys for what’s coming. On paper the course is even tougher than last year, with more climbing and fewer time trial kilometres, and we are expecting a really challenging three weeks. Our Giro squad selection is made based on the characteristics of the course with the right balance between talented climbers and our experienced captains. We head to Israel with a strong and confident squad and we look forward to getting the Giro started.”
