GP Fourmies: Team Polti Kometa’s last visit to France
After completing two stage tours in France during the month of August, the GP Fourmies will be the last occasion for Team Polti Kometa to visit the country this season. Continuing with the good results and also with the great form of its riders, the competition will be looking forward to success with the riders who will also compete in the Italian classics at the end of the year.
A total of 197 kilometres will be covered in the competition, which accumulates elevation gain and constant ups and downs in the first kilometres, moving away from Fourmies to face the Cote de Sacré Coeur up to seven times before reaching kilometre 150 of the race. From this point, there will be four laps of the final circuit of Fourmies, with 11 kilometres and constant steep climbs. The Cote de la Sablière, with 3 kilometres to go (and each time over the finish line) could be decisive if a group or a rider manages to get away ahead of the fastest riders.
In this true classic race for strong riders, Team Polti Kometa is betting on combative rider profiles and skilful race attitude, with captain Mirco Maestri leading the line up and celebrating his call-up for next week’s European Road Cycling Championships. Alongside him, Fran Muñoz and Andrea Pietrobon look the riders most capable of being in the fight and in the continuous attacks in the final part. But the team does not lose sight of the options of a sprint finish, with Giovanni Lonardi looking for his umpteenth place of honour of the season supported by David Martín and Javi Serrano, without forgetting Diego Sevilla who will be a safe asset both for the breakaways and to work for the interests of his teammates. An enviable team in search of victory.
Mirco Maestri: ‘We have a good feeling for the race, I really believe that we have a good chance with Lonardi, to be able to fight for a hypothetical sprint finish. But we are prepared in any case, we are looking for the best possible result’.
Stefano Zanatta, sport director: ‘It’s a diverse course, with a circuit in the final part that can finish in a sprint but also give a surprise with a breakaway. I think we are prepared for a bunch finish, with Lonardi very well supported; but also with the options in a long-distance move with Maestri himself, recently called up to compete in the European Championships with the Italian National Team’.
