The Dutch race will mark European Champion Elia Viviani’s final appearance of the season.
One of the most successful riders of the year, with 11 wins to his name, Elia Viviani has been recently nominated for the Velo d’Or – one of the four Deceuninck – Quick-Step riders in the run for this award – an acknowledgement of his remarkable feats throughout 2019. Of his 11 victories, nine came at World Tour level this season, the cherry on the top being put in Alkmaar, where fresh off a solid Tour de France, he won the gold medal at the European Championships in truly spectacular fashion.
Now, the 30-year-old Italian is ready to draw the curtain over this incredible year, but not before making one more outing for Deceuninck – Quick-Step, at this weekend’s Tacx Pro Classic, a pan-flat 204.6km race held in in the Dutch province of Zeeland, where the main challenge of the day will be the strong winds that threaten to shatter the peloton.
Viviani, who will race for the first time here, is set to be joined for the event taking place between Middelburg and Neeltje Jans by Tim Declercq, Samuel Gaze, Mikkel Honoré, Iljo Keisse, Florian Sénéchal, and Jannik Steimle.
“We expect a very nervous race on Saturday, with a lot of narrow roads that will only add to the difficulty. The echelons will be decisive, which means we must be attentive at all times, as the race will be on straight from kilometer zero”, explained sports director Tom Steels. “We have a very strong team, with Elia our main card in case it comes down to a sprint, but also with other motivated riders who will have a free role in the crosswinds.”
Photo credit: ©Jan Melicher