Belgian Classics team assembles for trio of races

UAE Team Emirates continue their campaign at the Northern Classics with a trio of races on Belgian soil : AG Driedaagse Brugge-De Panne on 24 March, E3 Saxo Bank Classic on 26 March and Gent-Wevelgem on 28 March.

The team will look to the joint experience of Alexander Kristoff and Matteo Trentin, with the former having been victorious in De Panne in 2015 and also in Gent-Wevelgem in the colours of UAE in 2019.

Sports Directors Allan Peiper (Aus) and Fabio Baldato (Ita) will take charge over the three races.

AG Driedaagse Brugge-De Panne [1.UWT] – 24-Mar-2021

-Mikkel Bjerg (Den)
-Fernando Gaviria (Col)
-Ryan Gibbons (RSA)
-Vegard Stake Laengen (Nor)
-Marco Marcato (Ita)
-Rui Oliveira (Por)
-Maximiliano Richeze (Arg)

E3 Saxo Bank Classic [1.UWT] – 26-Mar-2021

-Mikkel Bjerg (Den)
-Fernando Gaviria (Col)
-Ryan Gibbons (RSA)
-Alexander Kristoff (Nor)
-Ivo Oliveira (Por)
-Rui Oliveira (Por)
-Matteo Trentin (Ita)

Gent-Wevelgem [1.UWT] – 28-Mar-2021

-Mikkel Bjerg (Den)
-Sven Erik Bystrom (Nor)
-Ryan Gibbons (RSA)
-Alexander Kristoff (Nor)
-Matteo Trentin (Ita)
-Ivo Oliveira (Por)
-Maximiliano Richeze (Arg)

Allan Peiper (Sports Director) : “We’re coming into one of the biggest weeks in the classics period. We have a good mix of youth and experience here : Bjerg and the Oliveira twins are progressing well and showing they can ride the big classics. Kristoff has won at Gent-Wevelgem before so we know what he’s capable of doing there. With Trentin in the squad we have an extra leader now also. We’re hoping for good results from this block of racing and getting the best out of all our guys.”

Alexander Kristoff: “It’s good to be back here in Belgium and we’re really motivated to race. The form is ok, I’ve been a bit sick lately but I’m coming back now. The team is strong, maybe the strongest we’ve had at the classics before. Gent-Wevelgem is a race I like a lot especially since winning here 2 years ago and with myself and Trentin we hope to have options in the final.”