Irish riders Ronan McLaughlin and Sean Downey will line out for the An Post Sean Kelly team tomorrow (February 14) at the Volta ao Algarve (2.1) in Portugal.
This year the race has been reduced from five stages to four, with the riders completing three road stages and then a final day time trial. Some of the world’s top teams and riders are set to compete and team manager Kurt Bogaerts is looking forward to the first major test of the season.
“It’s always a tough race, you just need to look at the registered teams each year to see how strong the field is and this year is no different. It’s a great opportunity for our riders to compete against the likes of team Sky and Omega Pharma – Quick Step. The experience they will take from it is invaluable.
The course is hard and hilly in stages but we will be aggressive from the start and hopefully be involved in some of the breakaways. Its great preparation for the season ahead so we are really looking forward to it”, Bogaerts added.
The duo will compete as part of an eight man team at the four day stage race alongside British riders Kieran Frend and Conor McNally and the Belgian quartet of Alphonse Vermote, Nicholas Vereecken, Steven Van Vooren and Laurent Vanden Bak.
Team for Volta ao Algarve (2.1) Feb 14 – Feb 17
- Ronan McLaughlin (IRL)
- Sean Downey (IRL)
- Conor McNally (UK)
- Kieran Frend (UK)
- Alphonse Vermote (BEL)
- Nicholas Vereecken (BEL)
- Steven Van Vooren (BEL)
- Laurent Vanden Bak (BEL)