Ardennes campaign begins with Brabantse Pijl and Amstel Gold

UAE Team Emirates begin the start of a block of racing in Belgium this week with De Brabantse Pijl [1.Pro] on 14 April followed by Amstel Gold Race (1.UWT) on 18 April.

Matteo Trentin will spearhead the teams roster on Wednesday while Marc Hirschi will join up with the squad for Sunday at Amstel Gold, where the team will hope for a strong start to the famous ‘Ardennes Week’ to follow.

Sports Director Allan Peiper (Aus) will lead the team for De Brabantse Pijl :

-Sven Erik Bystrom (Nor)
-Ryan Gibbons (RSA)
-Vegard Stake Laengen (Nor)
-Marco Marcato (Ita)
-Aleksandr Riabushenko (Blr)
-Matteo Trentin (Ita)
-Oliviero Troia (Ita)

Team Manager Joxean Matxin Fernandez (Spa) will lead team along with Sports Director Andrej Hauptman (Slo) at Amstel Gold Race:

-Mikkel Bjerg (Den)
-Rui Costa (Por)
-Ryan Gibbons (RSA)
-Marc Hirschi (Swi)
-Jan Polanc (Slo)
-Aleksandr Riabushenko (Blr)
-Matteo Trentin (Ita)

Matteo Trentin : “In the cobbled races we were strong but we just lacked a bit of luck, so we aim to make up for it here in the Ardennes classics.
Personally I’m feeling good and carrying over form from the cobbled classics.For Amstel Gold on Sunday I think we’re going in with a few options. Obviously we know these races can really suit a rider like Marc Hirschi and I hope to be there in the final also, so we will play our cards on the day.”