Etixx - Quick-Step to Vattenfall Cyclassics & Tour du Poitou Charentes

Etixx - Quick-Step to Vattenfall Cyclassics & Tour du Poitou Charentes

Etixx - Quick-Step has announced the selections that will participate in Vattenfall Cyclassics, a 221.3km one-day race on August 23rd, and Tour du Poitou Charentes, a five-stage race from August 25th until August 28th.

The Vattenfall Cyclassics, which takes place in the city of Hamburg (Germany) is on its 20th edition and is part of the UCI WorldTour. It's known as a race suited for sprinters, with many of the top specialists of the peloton winning previous editions. However, it isn't a flat run into the finish. There are several short, but steep climbs these riders must pass first before regrouping on the flat section heading into the finale.

"We have a competitive team at the start able to get into the actions in the final," Sport Director Brian Holm said. "Julian Alaphilippe, for example, is coming off a top 10 overall finish Eneco Tour, and he will be at the start. Mark Cavendish and Tom Boonen will also participate and can be a factor in case of a bunch arrival. We have a strong team that is ready to be a protagonist and go for a good result."

Tour du Poitou Charentes, part of the Europe Tour, includes 701.3km of racing in the short stage race, with 15 hill climbs and 10 bonifications across the stages. There is also a dual stage day on August 27th. First, there is a 98.6km stage, and then there is a 23.2km individual time trial.

Tony Martin, who required surgery after breaking his collarbone as consequence of a crash in Le Tour de France Stage 6, returns to competition by participating in both races.

"I'm really happy to start my comeback with a race in my home country," Martin said. "There is not a lot of races in Germany, so to participate in one is really nice. I've only participated in this race one time before, and it was in 2008, so it was a while ago. I'm happy I can come back and compete in this race again. I have recovered from my injury, so I am ready to build up for the last part of my season. I have to be realistic, this is my first race after a few weeks off. I am going there to support the team and focus on building my condition. Then after my race I will race Poitou Charentes. It's a race I've never done before, so I'm curious about how it is. My teammates told me that it's a good race to get into the rhythm and there is also a time trial where I can see where I am. I also know it is a nice, well organized race. I'm excited to discover this race myself and have a nice block of competition going into the next appointments."

You can view the selection for Vattenfall Cyclassics by clicking the "more information" button below. The selection for Tour du Poitou Charentes is now available here: http://www.etixx-quickstep.com/en/races/race/683