World time trial champion Tony Martin is seeking to return to winning ways after a disappointing Tour hampered by punctures in two time trials plus a bad crash, as well as missing out on gold by one place in the Olympic TT.
The German has today been confirmed as one of Omega Pharma Quick Step’s riders for the Vuelta a España and, given his history and abilities, will be one of its leaders.
“Tony Martin will participate in the race after the silver medal he conquered at the Olympics TT. Tony could show his skills as a crono man in the opening Team Time Trial, and in the individual TT,” said directeur sportif Davide Bramati, announcing the selection. “He could make another important step to returning to his top level, even in the mountains, after the fracture he suffered during the Tour.”
Another rider the team will hope to perform is Zdenek Stybar. The 26 year old double world cyclo cross champion turned to road racing last season and now, with over a year of that competition under his belt, the team considers him ready to do his first three week race.
They will be joined by Dario Cataldo, Kevin De Weert, Serge Pauwels, Frantisek Rabon, Gert Steegmans, Niki Terpstra and Kristof Vandewalle.
“The riders who will participate in the Vuelta had a good approach to the race,” said Bramati. “This year the race will be hard, with thirteen stages considered medium or high mountain finishes. In the team we have good climbers, but also a rider as Steegmans who can be competitive in the six flat stages. The race will represent also the first big tour of Zdenek Stybar. It will be important for him to gain confidence with these kind of races.”
He said that other riders can also be relied on to chase results. “We will have also some ambitions for a good place in the GC with guys as Cataldo, Pauwels and De Weert, who prepared very well for the race. The objective of the team will be to try to win at least a stage, and put our guys for the classification in the best possible position at the end of the race."
Omega Pharma Quick Step team for Vuelta a Espana, August 18 – September 9:
Dario Cataldo (ITA)
Kevin De Weert (BEL)
Tony Martin (GER)
Serge Pauwels (BEL)
Frantisek Rabon (CZE)
Gert Steegmans (BEL)
Zdenek Stybar (CZE)
Niki Terpstra (NED)
Kristof Vandewalle (BEL)