Victorious on stage 3 of the Vuelta a Burgos after an attack inside the final kilometre, Sam Bennett will lead Deceuninck – Quick-Step at Milano-Torino on Wednesday (5 August).
The Irish champion will be supported by regular lead-out men Shane Archbold and Michael Mørkøv, Tim Declercq, Ian Garrison, Mikkel Honoré, and Yves Lampaert.
The oldest race in the world has an altered course this year, which will give sprinters an opportunity to test their legs ahead of Saturday’s Milano-Sanremo, the season’s first Monument. The 198-kilometre course between Mesero and Stupinigi will be flat except for the crossing of Monferrato, where the riders will face a series of short climbs that won’t have any impact on the outcome.
“For many, the race will be a rehearsal for Milano-Sanremo and a good opportunity to see where they are ahead of Saturday’s important appointment,” said Deceuninck – Quick-Step sports director Davide Bramati.
“It’s a new parcours which will change everything, except our desire to be again in the mix and get a good result. Sam Bennett is naturally our leader, he’s coming at the start after a very impressive victory in Burgos and will be supported by a solid team and an experienced lead-out train.”
