CEGORR debutants both pushing for victory

THE fifth instalment of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race will see the debuts of the Astana and UAE Team Emirates outfits, which will be headed up respectively by Spanish veteran Luis Leon Sanchez Gil and race contender Diego Ulissi.

Both rider and both teams are hoping to feature heavily on Sunday in the Elite Men’s Race. Sanchez Gil, 35, is no stranger to big events, having won four stages at the Tour de France and the 2005 Tour Down Under.

Italy’s Ulissi, a grand tour stage winner, will enjoy the course and is expected to be around the mark at the pointy end.

CEGORR director Scott Sunderland said he couldn’t wait to watch both compete. We are excited to welcome UAE Team Emirates and Astana Pro Team for their first participation in our races.”

“Both teams are sending riders who will be racing for victory – Sanchez told his team before the World Championships last year that he had a good chance to win the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race after watching our race on TV in 2018.

“Ulissi is a rider with a sharp eye for quick thinking tactics and when paired with his punchy climbing style, he’ll be one to watch.”

The 2019 men’s field is the strongest in the event’s five-year history, three larger than the 12 WorldTour teams that competed in 2018.

In the Elite Women’s race, 11 international teams have been confirmed for the UCI 1.1 event, including Australian team Mitchelton-SCOTT.

International teams Trek-Segafredo, Astana Women’s Team, Doltcini-Van Eyck Sport, Swapit Agolico and Rally Cycling will compete for the first time.