UAE Team Emirates will be focusing on stage wins and the general classification at Paris-Nice with a team line-up including Dan Martin and Alexander Kristoff.
Martin finished in 3rd place at the Race to the Sun last year behind Sergio Henao and Alberto Contador and is feeling confident ahead of this year’s race which takes place from March 4th to 11th.
“I’m feeling good heading to Paris-Nice,” confirmed Martin. “In Algarve I had good days and bad days but was the perfect way to get the legs and body going but also to start working with my new team mates, both riders and staff. Paris-Nice is one of the hardest races on the calendar because there is no easy day.
“The race can be lost everyday as we saw last year. On paper the first stages seem easier but then there is the possibility of bad weather and crosswinds. Of course the TT and mountain top finish on stage 7 will see the biggest time gaps and the race will be won there, but what makes Paris-Nice hard is the concentration and endurance to not lose the race on the other stages, but also save enough energy to be good when it counts.”
“My place on the podium last year was my first big result at Paris Nice having not taken the start on many occasions. I’m definitely back this year to contest the GC but of course need to survive the first days and then we will see the situation after the TT.”
Alexander Kristoff meanwhile has had an impressive start to the season, winning stages at both the Tour of Oman and Abu Dhabi Tour. However, he feels his opportunities at Paris-Nice will be limited.
“There won’t be many opportunities for sprinting arrivals,” Kristoff explained. “The route will be particularly difficult and insidious every day.
“I’m going to try to take advantage of every chance I get to make the most out of good timing. I’m getting into better and better shape and the victories and placements I achieved in Oman and Abu Dhabi are motivating me.
“The Paris-Nice will be especially useful to enhance my training as I look forward to the Milano-Sanremo and the Belgian Classics.”
UAE Team Emirates team for Paris-Nice (March 4 – 11)
Sven Erik Bystrøm (Norway)
Rui Costa (Italy)
Alexander Kristoff (Norway)
Daniel Martin (Ireland)
Oliviero Troia (Italy)
Rory Sutherland (Australia)
Ben Swift (United Kingdom)
