Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will take part in Volta ao Algarve — a 620.8km stage race, from Feb. 14th to Feb. 17th.
Tony Martin finished 2nd in the GC in the 2012 edition, and is one of several OPQS riders who could be a factor in both stage wins, and the GC.
"The first two stages are suited for the skills of Mark Cavendish," Sports Director Tom Steels said. "The stages are long, about 200 kilometers. They are also not completely flat. It's a question of handling the situations and controlling the race as much as we can. There is also the third stage uphill finish on 2.5km, Category 2 Aldo do Malhao. It's important for the GC, and the parcour is quite difficult. It will be important for riders such as Chavanel, Martin, and Kwiatkowski to stay near the front. We have three riders who on the last day are able to do a great performance on the time trial. The 34.8km TT is not so demanding and difficult. Last year Tony was really close to victory. He was beaten only by Bradley Wiggins (Sky ProCycling). Tony is our best weapon for the TT, but we can count also on Michal, and on Chavanel who is also a good climber in these kind of uphill finishes. It will be important to not lose too much time on the climb, to be able to give everything the day after on the TT and go for a good result for the GC."
