31/03/2012
It´s “Ronde” ´s eve: Sagan and Oss primed for battle on the hellingen
Liquigas-Cannondale selects two captains for tomorrow’s Tour of Flanders
Everything is set in Belgium for a spectacular show of cycling in tomorrow’s Ronde Van Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders. All is calm in Kortrijk, Liquigas-Cannondale’s base for the Flemish mission, on the eve of the race: the positive signs shown in the cobbled races so far are very reassuring and there’s a strong desire to be one of the main contenders.
Peter Sagan and Daniel Oss are the team’s key riders and will be supported by Maciej Bodnar (who secured a podium placing at De Panne), Mauro Da Dalto, Ted King, Kristijan Koren, Alan Marangoni and Fabio Sabatini. DS Stefano Zanatta will direct the team as he has done in the other races.
«I’m happy with the level of condition I’ve achieved, » said Sagan, who came second in last Sunday’s Gent-Wevelgem and won the De Panne opener on Tuesday. «It’s a big race and I want to do well: all the conditions are right for good result. I’ve already factored in that tomorrow will be a battle because in addition to Boonen and Cancellara, I’ve seen that lots of other guys are riding really well. I’ve studied the map of the new route and discussed it with Zanatta and my teammates: their advice will be invaluable. I don’t know where I’ll come, and to be honest it’s not something I’m thinking about. I know I’m on form but you also need luck and experience to get a big result. I’ll give it 100%, but the road will have the final say. »
«Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem and De Panne were great races for getting used to the cobbles, and I’m ready for tomorrow. » Oss explained. «I’m expecting a very hard-fought race and tactics will also play a key role. We need to put “the rules of the north” into practice: ride off the front, hold your positions and maximum concentration. It’s a selective race and the new finish should really split the peloton. When they start forcing the pace, you need the legs to keep up with the best riders: I hope I’ll be with them. »
