De Gendt and Benoot in Lotto Soudal Vuelta a Espana line-up – News Shorts
16 August 2018 03:08
Lotto Soudal have named their eight-man team for the 2018 Vuelta a España, with Tiesj Benoot and Thomas De Gendt among the line-up, and it's clear from their selection that the team is keen on stage victories. "Of course, we'll have to wait until the official start list has been confirmed. If there are a lot of sprinters on the start line, the breakaways won't get many chances to stay clear, and so it'll probably be better not to attack," said directeur sportif Mario Aerts. "We'll take it one day at a time. Either way, all eight of our riders will get the chance to animate the stages, and, hopefully, we can take one or two stage wins home with us." The Belgian outfit had a bumper 2017 Vuelta a España, racking up four stage victories across the three weeks of racing. De Gendt was one of those to take home a win, taking victory in Gijon on stage 19, giving him a victory in each of the three Grand Tours.ADVERTISEMENT The team's other two stage winners, Tomasz Marczynski and Sander Armée, have also been named in the squad for the Spanish race. Marczynski got the team's purple patch up and running with his success on stage 6, and went on to win another stage in the second week, while Armée added his in week three. Benoot, meanwhile, is in the team after crashing out of the Tour de France in the opening week of racing. Tosh Van der Sande, who recently extended his contract with the team, will ride his second Grand Tour of the season after already contesting the Giro d'Italia in May, while neo-pro Bjorg Lambrecht will get his first opportunity to ride a Grand Tour. Mitchelton-Scott opt for youth over experience at Colorado Classic Waeytens to Cofidis Cyclingnews Films presents - RUNNING WITH WOLVES - available to buy or rent
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