CCC-Liv will start next Saturday in the Strade Bianche. For this UCI Women's WorldTour classic on the famous Tuscan gravel roads, sports director Jeroen Blijlevens selected the Italian "home riders" Sofia Bertizzolo and Soraya Paladin. He relies on four additional riders who also competed last weekend: Jeanne Korevaar, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, Sabrina Stultiens and Marianne Vos.

“Our riders are in good shape, which does not say everything. After all, the Strade Bianche is a very specific race in which something can always happen. Especially under the warm, dusty conditions of next Saturday, it is important to stay focused. We have a strong team across the board and will try to take advantage of this”, says sports director Jeroen Blijlevens.

“Gravel section 5 is 9.5 kilometres long. As everyone prefers to be well positioned there, it is traditionally hectic. If there is a breakaway, we will try to be part of it. But we also know that the pace can drop after this, anticipating the real final. If the race explodes, we want to sit at the front with several riders. At that point, we have to see to what extent we can withstand the strong competition.”

Photo credits: Cor Vos