The Wolfpack will be in action at the Italian season-opener.
Davide Ballerini has had a red-hot start to the season, taking a brace of stage wins and the points jersey in the Tour de la Provence before sprinting to a dominant victory at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The 26-year-old, who became just the fifth Italian to win the prestigious Belgian Classic, is set to continue his season this week at the Trofeo Laigueglia, a race he rode on five occasions, last time three years ago.
Countryman Andrea Bagioli, who surged to a spectacular victory last Sunday at the Drôme Classic, becoming the third Deceunink – Quick-Step rider to notch a win this year, will join him straight from France together with Dries Devenyns, James Knox and Pieter Serry. Mauri Vansevenant, a top 10 finisher in La Provence two weeks ago, where he impressed on the summit finish to Chalet Reynard, and Ian Garrison will round out the team lining out on the Ligurian coast for the 58th edition of the Trofeo Laigueglia.
The parcours will be a hilly one, with the action expected to begin as soon as the peloton will enter the local lap which the riders will tackle four times. Averaging almost 8% over two short but intense kilometers, Colla Micheri should play again a major role in the outcome, especially as the last time the riders will go up there will be with ten kilometers to go.
“We start March with a very good morale after the team’s strong outing last weekend in Belgium and France. It’s our first appearance of the season in Italy and we hope for a good result, although we know the race will be difficult, especially the circuit which is a tricky one. But the riders are motivated, confident and looking forward to Wednesday”, said Deceuninck – Quick-Step sports director Davide Bramati.
