Matthew Teggart is the sole Irish man to be named as part of a strong An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly team for their debut race of the 2017 season, at the d’Ouverture La Marseillaise (UCI 1.1) this Sunday.
The Belgium based outfit, who have 12 new additions to their squad, have named Jonas Bolkeloh (GER), Davy Gunst (NED), Massimo Vanderaerden (BEL), Premislav Kasperkiewicz (POL), Sean MacKinnon (CAN) and British duo Jacob Scott and Dan Gardner to line out alongside Teggart for the 152 kilometre race.
The squad are fresh from a successful and intensive training camp in Calpe, Spain and team manager Kurt Bogaerts is confident with their preparations for a big season ahead.
“I think there is a great opportunity here to have a strong start to the season. I have picked a young team which I believe are well suited to the course. We have some good climbers in the team and great speed so I have high expectations to have a few riders in the leading group towards the latter stages of the race.”
The 38th edition of the race takes place on hilly terrain around Marseille. The race is the opening round of the Coupe de France series and will offer the opportunity for riders to make a strong start to the season.
20-year-old Ulster man Teggart will be hoping to showcase his talents at the weekend and start the year on a positive note. An Post team manager Bogaerts has high expectations for the young Irish man going into the season opener.
“Matthew should be well suited to the course. He performed to a very high level all training camp and I fully expect him to be challenging at the business end of the race this Sunday.”
An Post Chain Reaction will be up against some stiff competition in the form of the WorldTour teams such as AG2R La Mondiale, FDJ and Lotto-Soudal.
An Post Chain Reaction line-up
Matthew Teggart (IRE)
Jonas Bolkeloh (GER)
Davy Gunst (NED)
Jacob Scott (GBR)
Dan Gardner (GBR)
Premislav Kasperkiewicz (POL)
Sean MacKinnon (CAN)
Massimo Vanderaerden (BEL)
@matthew_teggart good luck hope you have a great debut race