Keukeleire to lead ORICA in Flanders classics
ORICA-GreenEDGE will take part in the Dwars door Vlaanderen classic on Wednesday with the hope of a solid performance. The team will be lead by 27-year-old Jens Keukeleire.
The Belgian finished the race in 7th and 9th in 2013 and 2014 respectively. However, last year a crash in the peloton caused a split in the race and ORICA were caught behind and were unable to chase back in the second half of the race.
Sports director Laurenzo Lapage is hoping for better luck this time around:
“We have had some injuries to the classics squad already this year with Mathew (Hayman) fracturing his wrist in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad,” said Lapage. “However, the team is ready for the race and we have some valuable kilometres in our legs from Paris-Nice, Tirreno Adriatico and Milan-San Remo.”
Keukeleire will not be the only option however, as the sports director says: “The boys will be looking after Jens but Luke (Durbridge) and Magnus (Cort) will also have some freedom. These races are always unpredictable.”
Sam Bewley, Mitch Docker, Luka Mezgec and Svein Tuft complete the line up for ORICA-GreenEDGE as they travel to Belgium with a solid team comprised both of experienced and young riders.
ORICA-GreenEDGE at Dwars door Vlaanderen (23 March): Sam Bewley (NZ), Magnus Cort (DEN), Mitch Docker (AUS), Luke Durbrige (AUS), Jens Keukeleire (BEL), Luka Mezgec (SLO), Svein Tuft (CAN).
