Aigle: UAE Team Emirates duo Louis Meinjtes and Diego Ulissi are looking for good results in this week’s Tour de Romandie, which runs from Aigle to Lausanne, in Switzerland, from April 25-30.
UAE Team Emirates sporting director Simone Pedrazzini, said: “The Meintjes-Ulissi duo is aiming for the top of the general classification, weather permitting. We are hoping for good weather as the race’s technical corners may provide more of an obstacle, especially if it rains — and it almost always rains at the Tour de Romandie.
“There are also a couple of arrivals which are suitable for Ulissi. Ben Swift will be back to race after the unlucky injury suffered before the Amstel Gold Race, which caused him to withdraw and miss some training days. However, we will rely on Simone Consonni for the two time-trial stages.”
Meintjes said: “It’s important to assess my form and competitiveness on short stage races such as the Tour de Romandie. It will be great if I’m able to perform as well as I did at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco. The second stage is one of the key stages, so I hope that I’ll be able to rely on good legs made strong after participating in two of the Ardennes Classics.”
Ulissi added: “Tour de Romandie’s courses are demanding, so it will be an intense week. Those who are aiming for a top result in the general classification must come from the Ardennes Classics with good form. I am looking forward to the race and I believe that my own form will aid me in achieving a good result for the team, our sponsors and for myself by earning some points for the World Tour ranking.”
The full UAE Team Emirates line-up is: Matteo Bono, Anass Ait El Abdia, Ben Swift, Diego Ulissi, Louis Meinjtes, Oliviero Troia, Simone Consonni and Manuele Mori.
Ulissi meanwhile finished top 10 in La Fleche Wallonne on Wednesday. Of that result, he said: “I had a feeling today was going to be a good day despite it being cold. In the finale the team did a great job positioning me in the best way to take on the treacherous Mur de Huy. In the last 250-metres I was in front, however was outsprinted to the finish line. I’m happy with my result and will be heading to Liège – Bastogne – Liège on Sunday and the Tour de Romandie next week in good spirits and with a lot to look forward to.”
