2020 winner Damien Howson will return to the Sazka Tour as Team BikeExchange-Jayco target more success in the Czech Republic.
 
Alongside Howson will be Italian Kevin Colleoni, who is back in action as co-leader for the four-day race, with the 22-year-old targeting a strong general classification showing.
 
The duo will be backed up by a team mixed with youth and experience with Tanel Kangert, Cameron Meyer and Tsgabu Grmay lining up with Jan Maas and Colombian Jesús David Peña.
 
The team have enjoyed success at the Sazka Tour in recent years, with two stage wins and the overall title in both 2019 and 2020, plus a stage win last season.

The 2022 edition features a harder parcour as the peloton tackles over 12,000 metres of climbing over the four days, with two hill-top finishes.
 
Team BikeExchange-Jayco Line-Up:
Kevin Colleoni (ITA)
Tsgabu Grmay (ETH)
Damien Howson (AUS)
Tanel Kangert (EST)
Jan Maas (NED)
Cameron Meyer (AUS)
Jesús David Peña (COL)
 
Damien Howson
“I’m excited to return to Sazka Tour. Last time in 2020 it was very successful for myself, and for all the team with stage, TTT and GC wins. For this edition also, I think we have a very strong team on a route that seems particularly demanding.
 
I return to racing after the Tour de Suisse in mid-June and I have been working well in the last few weeks and I think I have had good preparation to try to get a good result again.”
 
Kevin Colleoni
“My last race was the Italian road championship in June, then I trained for about a month on high ground in Livigno and I feel ready for this Sazka Tour.

This year the race has two uphill finishes and I think the course suits my characteristics and for this reason my goal is to finish in the top-five overall.”
 
David McPartland – Sport Director
“Our main goal is a good result in the general classification. We have two co-leaders, Damien Howson and Kevin Colleoni, who will be supported by some highly experienced riders and promising youngsters.
 
It is a race we have done many times both with stage and overall successes. This year is particularly difficult as there is almost 12000 metres of climbing over the four days. We have two summit finishes that will be pivotal for the overall and also the last stage is not an easy one. I’m expecting a very intense four-day tour”.
 
2022 Sazka Tour Race Details:
Thursday, 4th August, Stage 1: Uničov – Prostêjov, 181kmFriday, 5th August, Stage 2: Olomouc – Pustevny, 189km
Saturday, 6th August, Stage 3: Moravská Třebová – Dlouhé stráně, 149km
Sunday, 7th August, Stage 4: Šumperk – Šternberk, 179km

Photo: Getty Sport