Niewiadoma to lead strong Canyon/SRAM team at Flanders

While Kasia Niewiadoma could move into the overall UCI Women's WorldTour lead with a strong performance on Sunday, Canyon/SRAM dares to dream. You can watch how the women's Ronde van Vlaanderen will unfold right here on SBS.

Kasia Niewiadoma wins the 2018 Trofeo Alfredo Binda (Canyon/SRAM)

Kasia Niewiadoma wins the 2018 Trofeo Alfredo Binda Source: Canyon SRAM


Niewiadoma is the in-form rider with her Trofeo Alfredo Binda victory earlier this month after a late escape. She also finished second behind Anna van der Breggen's (Boels-Dolmans) own solo finish at Strade Bianche in February.

But the team will also take Lisa Klein, who finished third at last weekend's Gent-Wevelgem and Hannah Barnes who won the overall and the final stage at the Setmana Ciclista Valenciana in Spain late last month. 

Canyon/SRAM's sports director and team manager Ronny Lauke said his decision on the final six rider roster for Sunday still wasn't an easy one. 

“It’s the first time for a long time that we’ve had a real problem to figure out which six riders are the best for the race," Lauke said. "We’ve been forced to make some uncomfortable decisions because we now have such a strong group of riders to choose from,” he said.
Check out Jane Aubrey's Tour of Flanders preview:

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But he dares to dream. 

"It’s an iconic name in the sport. The conditions riders face, the climbs, the cobbles. You need to have so much quality as a rider to win it.
"I think that every rider wants to prove that they are something special. That they have what it takes to win Flanders."
Lauke also believes Niewiadoma's Trofeo Binda victory has instilled the confidence needed for the 150 kilometre race of attrition over five cobbled sectors and 11 climbs.  

“With the one-day WorldTour victory (Trofeo Alfredo Binda) in our pocket it opens up even more opportunities. The riders are now in a position where they don’t need to be stressed about getting that victory and at the same time they know how to make it happen. They are so hungry for these big races, to perform and leave a footprint at the highest level.” 



“The way they raced in Trofeo Binda has shown that we have tactical variations in our team. We don’t need to rely on one or two riders. As to how the race will play out, then I think you can only make a prediction closer to the day once you know the wind direction and if it’s dry or wet.

"I can say though that regardless of the weather we have options for any situation in the race. We go into Flanders with a well-balanced group that can go for victory solo or from any size bunch,” Lauke said.

Canyon/SRAM at the 2018 Tour of Flanders: Hannah Barnes, Elena Cecchini, Lisa Klein, Kasia Niewiadoma, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Trixi Worrack.

SBS will livestream the women's race  at Cycling Central Sunday 1 April, 9:30pm to 11:30pm AEST.

SBS Viceland will broadcast the men's race Sunday 1 April from 9:30pm with live streaming available  at Cycling Central starting after the women's race at 11:30pm AEST.


 


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3 min read
Published 30 March 2018 10:48am
Updated 30 March 2018 10:52am
By Cycling Central
Source: Canyon SRAM, Cycling Central


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