Liv Racing will be in the line-up of the first Belgian UCI Women’s WorldTour classic of the season on Thursday. Sports director Lars Boom selected Lotte Kopecky, Evy Kuijpers, Sofia Bertizzolo, Valerie Demey, Sabrina Stultiens and Marta Jaskulska for the Oxyclean Classic Bruges-De Panne.
“If the weather forecast is anything to go by, then you know that wind will clearly play a role. That is also part of this race. Last year, at the end of October, it was also a windy edition and the peloton had completely broken into pieces as a result. Wind gives such a classic an extra dimension which is a nice element. So we will certainly have to take this into account and be sharp”, says Evy Kuijpers.
“Everyone can see that the team is doing well at the moment. If we reach our level again on Thursday, we should be able to play a significant role”, says the Dutch. “If the bunch breaks, we have to be at the front with as many teammates as possible. At that point we can take stock and determine how we will further proceed to be successful. I hope to play a supporting role in this. In case of a sprint, I want to put my teammates in a good position.”
WORKING ON FINAL DETAILS
Kuijpers can look back at a successful first part of the season. “Both the team and myself can be satisfied with the start. I started the season well. I have recently been able to do extra training at the camp in Tuscany as the coming weeks are packed full with races. That is why it is nice that we have been able to work on the final details. I now want to take this good feeling to the upcoming races and go all out!”
Photo credits: Liv Racing