Team News – Madison Genesis in Normandie

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British team Madison Genesis go to Tour of Normandie with high expectations in first race of the season

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Team News – Madison Genesis in Normandie

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Madison Genesis team manager Dave Povall has high expectations for the Tour de Normandie – but warns the team must be adaptable in a week that is always unpredictable. The seven-day stage race that takes place in northern France from March 21-27 is famed for its peloton-splitting crosswinds and inclement weather.

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Despite naming a strong team containing 2011 race-winner Alex Blain and 2012 stage winner Erick Rowsell, Povall is under no illusions about the challenges likely to be faced. “The racing, the weather conditions – it’s brutal, it’s really hard down there, so we need to be adaptable in our approach and we will be” Povall assessed, ahead of travelling to the north of France.

“At this point we’d like to contest the race – we’re there to contest the general classification – it’s always an eventful race though and nothing ever goes smoothly for any team at Normandie.”

Selecting a versatile and ambitious team for the the event proved challenging, but Povall is confident in the selections made. “Alex and Erick both have strong stage racing credentials and therefore go in as equal leaders. We’re very fortunate that we’ve got two strong hands to play and the remaining four guys will be fully supportive and committed to delivering some success.

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“Tom Stewart and Taylor Gunman were chosen because they have both shown good early season form, while Felix English offers us sprinting options depending on how the race plays out. “Tristan Robbins has performed well at the early season training camps and fits into the team ethos of developing young British riders. Taking him to experience one of the best early season international stage races is important for his development.”

The UCI 2.2 Europe Tour event has again attracted a competitive lineup of 24 teams – including development squads from Lotto Soudal, Leopard and Rabobank. British representation comes from Raleigh GAC and Condor JLT, who join Madison Genesis at the seven-day stage race.

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Starting on Monday March 21 with a 6.4-kilometre prologue in Carentan, six varied road stages follow, tracking the northern coastline at first, before cutting inland. Stage two to Elbeuf-sur-Seine features a 10% ramp on the finishing circuit, which riders tackle three times and could create the first significant differences on general classification.

The southerly direction of stage five may also prove decisive, as a strong northerly wind could split the peloton over an undulating 180 kilometres, before the final test over 150 kilometres into Caen.

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