Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will participate in Meulebeke — a one-day race on August 30th — and GP Ouest France - Plouay, a 229.1km one-day French race on Sunday, August 31st.
At GP Ouest France - Plouay there is a change to the parcours of the 2014 edition. Instead of a nine-lap circuit of 27 kilometers, there will now be eight laps of 26.9km, and one lap of 13.9 kilometers. Côte de Ty-Marrec remains the key final climb of the race, just four kilometers from the finish. There are three steep climbs on the parcours.
"The slight change of the parcours gives an advantage to the kind of riders we have at this race," Sport Director Tom Steels said. "There may be more chances to attack or arrive in a small group. We go there with riders like Gianni Meersman, Julian Alaphilippe, and Matteo Trentin, guys who are also good in a group arrival. Then we also have Jan Bakelants, who is in good condition and can enter into a breakaway. We have different riders for the possible solutions of this race. We also have Michal Kwiatkowski who will be racing for the first time since altitude training camp. In 2013 he attacked on Côte de Ty-Marrec, but his move was brought back by the peloton. This year he can also play a role in the team strategy in the final. We will see what we can do with a strong team that is ready for any scenario of the race."
You can view the selection of Meulebeke here: http://www.omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/races/race/600
The selection for GP Ouest France - Plouay can be viewed by clicking on the "more information" button below.