UAE Team Emirates has announced their selection for the 2019 Tour de France. The announcement came in a video hosted by General Manager Joxean Matxin (Spa) and the Sports Directors Neil Stephens (Aus) and Simone Pedrazzini (Sui).
The roster will consist of eight riders from six different countries:
- Fabio Aru (Ita)
- Sven Erik Bystrøm (Nor)
- Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por)
- Sergio Henao (Col)
- Alexander Kristoff (Nor)
- Vegard Stake Laengen (Nor)
- Daniel Martin (Irl)
- Jasper Philipsen (Bel)
The pre-race team press conference, which will be held Friday, July 5, from 18.30 at the Novotel Brussels Airport will feature Fabio Aru, Alexander Kristoff, Daniel Martin, Jasper Philipsen and general manager Joxean Matxin. Some statements from the riders in advance of the race:
Fabio Aru: “After months of absence from racing, I was able to rediscover the spark of racing, feel fatigue in the legs and to really test my condition. The feedback on my recovery is encouraging, I feel good which has led to my selection for the Tour de France. Through the last few months and during my injury I’ve always stayed calm andI’m taking that into this Tour de France: I will not be in France to worry about the general classification, the Grande Boucle will be an exciting new chapter as I reboot my season. I expect that my performance will improve step by step, I will fight to be competitive and to help the overall objectives of the team and will aim for a stage win if the conditions are right.”
Alexander Kristoff: “I’ll be going to this Tour with the objective to try to win a stage, as well as relive the great emotions of last year. This season my form was better than it has been the past few years, but the level of all the top riders is so high that a good condition is not enough, you also need enormous determination and a little luck. ”
Daniel Martin: ” I’m really excited to get racing again at the Tour. I feel good in training and the Dauphiné went really well, even if we didn’t see the same aggressive racing in the mountains that we normally do.
I’ve come out of the Dauphiné well and I like the look of the course this year, plus we have a super strong team with a lot of different options and cards to play. I’m just looking forward to get started now.”
Joxean Matxin: “The team is well balanced, with four riders geared towards the climbs and four rouleurs for the flatlands – said the general manager – We can cope well with all situations that the race will throw up, including the team time trial. We’ve got some big names in our squad, and they re sure to be up in the action. The inclusion of Aru will be interesting for sure, and we’re excited about his quick progress. It’s also a big moment for young Philipsen who will make his debut at the Grande Boucle “.
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