Team BikeExchange-Jayco will go hunting for stage wins as a versatile squad full of fast finishers, puncheurs and time trialists heads to Tirreno-Adriatico, starting tomorrow.
Italian time trial champion Matteo Sobrero will wear the tricolour jersey on the opening stage time trial and will be hoping for a strong general classification showing on home soil.
Sprinter Kaden Groves will look to continue his impressive early season form in the Middle-East as he targets the sprint finishes, with Michael Matthews also back in action after crashing out of Strade Bianche on Saturday.
All-rounder Lawson Craddock and Tsgabu Grmay will add valuable support to the seven-rider line-up, while Alex Edmondson and Alexander Konychev will play vital roles in the fast finishes.
The racing kicks-off with a 13.9km time trial followed by a mix of chances for fast men, hilly stages, and the Queen Stage to Carpegna, where the peloton tackle a double ascent of Monte Carpegna – 6.2 kilometres at 9.6% – before descending to the line.
Team BikeExchange-Jayco Line-Up:
Lawson Craddock (USA)
Alex Edmonson (AUS)
Tsgabu Grmay (ETH)
Kaden Groves (AUS)
Alexander Konychev (ITA)
Michael Matthews (AUS)
Matteo Sobrero (ITA)
Matteo Sobrero:
“I’m thrilled to make my seasonal debut in Italy with my new team wearing the Italian time trial champion jersey. I have a fair condition due to the crash consequences at the Vuelta a Andalucia, which made me lose almost a week of preparation.
My goal remains to get a good result overall, but I will see how the feeling and conditions are day after day. In addition to the TT, I also like the two hilly stages and especially the Queen Stage with the double ascent of Monte Carpegna”.
Gene Bates (Sport Director):
“The goals for us this week are to target stage wins. We have both Kaden and Michael in very good shape, and both coming out of very good preparation periods.
Kaden has done some great racing in the Middle-East, and it will be good to see how this translates into Tirreno. We also have Matteo Sobrero, who will be riding for the GC here, his preparation has been a little hindered, however, we are looking forward to seeing what he can do here.
The route it’s a little different this year, with the final time trial moved to stage one. Outside of this, we are probably looking at three sprint stages, two hilly stages, and then obviously the Queen mountain stage on Saturday. I think it’s a well-rounded route, and I think we have good options for almost every day.”
2022 Tirreno-Adriatico – Race Details:
Monday, 7th Mar, Stage 1: Lido di Camaiore – Lido di Camaiore, ITT 13.9km
Tuesday, 8th Mar, Stage 2: Camaiore – Sovicille, 219km
Wednesday, 9th Mar, Stage 3: Murlo – Terni, 170km
Thursday, 10th Mar, Stage 4: Cascate delle Marmore – Bellante, 202km
Friday, 11th Mar, Stage 5: Sefro – Fermo, 155km
Saturday, 12th Mar,Stage 6: Apecchio – Carpegna, 213km
Sunday, 13th Mar, Stage 7: San Benedetto del Tronto – San Benedetto del Tronto, 159km
Photo: Getty Sport.
