Team News: Lampre-Merida to chase stage wins Down Under

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Italian sprinter Roberto Ferrari will have the support of his Lampre-Merida teammates as he chases stage wins at the 2014 Santos Tour Down Under

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Ferrari will lead the seven-man roster which includes fellow Italian cyclists Diego Ulissi, Davide Cimolai and Manuele Mori. After finishing in the top ten of the sprint classification at the 2013 Santos Tour Down Under Ferrari will be looking for a good start to the 2014 season.

Santos Tour Down Under Race Director Mike Turtur said Lampre-Merida will have their sights set on particular stages of next year’s race. “With the team focusing on stage wins for Ferrari, I expect Lampre-Merida will be targeting BikeExchange.com.au Stage 2 and Bupa Stage 4 as the likelihood of a bunch sprint finish is high,” Mr Turtur said.

“Ferrari will also be joined by Diego Ulissi who had a brilliant season in 2013 with six stage wins, including the first stage of the Tour of Poland and victory at Milano-Torino.

“Lampre-Merida also has a good contender for the Ochre Jersey in Spaniard Rafael Valls Ferri who finished only 53 seconds behind winner Tom-Jelte Slagter in the 2013 Santos Tour Down Under.”

Diego Ulissi is looking forward to his first appearance at the Santos Tour Down Under. “I’m really excited to live the Australian experience: it will be my first time in the land down under. I travelled a lot during my career, but the Australian challenge gives me new spurs,” said Diego Ulissi.

“Talking about my aims, it’s necessary to consider that the Santos Tour Down Under comes very early in the season, so it won’t so easy to go there to get a result, but of course I won’t brake if there will be the chance to battle for a very good performance.”

Team Lampre-Merida could be very competitive, considering that in the team there will be two fast rider in Ferrari and Cimolai, Mori that likes a mixed courses and three strong athletes such Bono, Valls and Wackermann. So, let’s start the season in a good way in Australia.”

Lampre-Merida’s all-European roster for the 2014 Santos Tour Down Under builds on the contingent of European cyclists already announced for next year’s race. “It’s fantastic to see so many European cyclists wish to start their season at the Santos Tour Down Under as the first UCI World Tour event of the season,” Mr Turtur said.

“We have already announced that some of the world’s best cyclists including Cadel Evans and Frank Schleck will be competing and I think 2014 is shaping up to be one of the best line-ups in the event’s history.”

The Lampre-Merida team competing at the 2014 Santos Tour Down Under will be led by manager Bruno Vicino and includes riders:

Diego Ulissi (Italy)
Matteo Bono (Italy)
Davide Cimolai (Italy)
Roberto Ferrari (Italy)
Manuele Mori (Italy)
Rafael Valls Ferri (Spain)
Luca Wackermann (Italy)

2014 Santos Tour Down Under
The Santos Tour Down Under is Australia’s premier international cycling race. It will be staged in and around Adelaide, South Australia from 19 to 26 January 2014. On Sunday 19 January the world’s cycling elite will contest an exciting 50km circuit race, the People’s Choice Classic, as the curtain raiser for the six-stage Santos Tour Down Under being raced over a total distance of 875km.

Sunday 19 January – People’s Choice Classic – Adelaide (50km)
Monday 20 January – Rest day
Tuesday 21 January – Stage 1 – Nuriootpa to Angaston (135km)
Wednesday 22 January – BikeExchange.com.au Stage 2 – Prospect to Stirling (150km)
Thursday 23 January – Stage 3 – Norwood to Campbelltown (145km)
Friday 24 January – Bupa Stage 4 – Unley to Victor Harbor (148.5km)
Saturday 25 January – Stage 5 – McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill (151.5km)
Sunday 26 January – Stage 6 – Adelaide (95km)

 

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