Omega Pharma Quick Step directeur sportif Brian Holm has made clear that his team means business in the Dubai Tour, saying that both Mark Cavendish and Tony Martin are chasing success in the first edition of the race.
The new event, which begins with a ten kilometre time trial on Wednesday, will see some of the sport’s top names take part. Holm wants to see his riders make an impression.
“We are quite excited to go there for the first time,” he said. “A few of our riders like Mark Cavendish and Tony Martin have already been there — they kind of know the city and the country and are very motivated to go there.
“For Mark, he will have his first chance to rely on both Alessandro Petacchi and Mark Renshaw in his leadout train. Cav and Renshaw have a lot of history and, combined with a veteran like Peta, we're hoping to have a fair chance for success in a race with so many sprint opportunities.”
Cavendish and Renshaw were a very successful combination while racing together at HTC Highroad, but went their separate ways prior to the 2012 season.
Renshaw moved to Rabobank, hoping to build a successful career in his own right, but took fewer wins than he had anticipated. He ultimately decided to move back to competing alongside Cavendish, realising that he was better positioned to be a leadout rider than a leader.
Martin took the world time trial championship in 2011, 2012 and again in 2013 and could notch up his first win of the year in Wednesday’s time trial. Holm is confident he will be in the right frame of mind.
“Tony had a special experience last year when he actually competed against a horse in an exhibition, which was a really nice introduction of cycling to Dubai. Now he can come back and also show Dubai how strong he is against other riders,” he said.
“This will be his first chance to time trial since wrapping up an incredible 2013, which included his third straight UCI World ITT Championship. I am sure he is really focused and wants to take that momentum into his debut in Dubai, even if the first stage is a prologue. He is ready and it will be close.”
Cavendish, Martin, Petacchi and Renshaw will be joined by four others on the squad, namely the Belgians Nikolas Maes and Julien Vermote, the Dutchman Wout Poels and Slovakia’s Martin Velits.
“Overall the team is happy to go there, as we can be competitive in every situation,” said Holm.
Omega Pharma Quick Step for Dubai Tour (2.1):
Mark Cavendish (GBR)
Nikolas Maes (BEL)
Tony Martin (GER)
Alessandro Petacchi (ITA)
Wout Poels (NED)
Mark Renshaw (AUS)
Martin Velits (SVK)
Julien Vermote (BEL)