ProTeam Lotto Dstny targets stage win in Paris-Nice

On Sunday 5 March, the 81^st edition of Paris-Nice will be kicked off in La Verrière. The WorldTour stage race consists of eight stages, offering opportunities to sprinters, punchers, time trialists and climbers. The final weekend will be tough with an uphill finish on Col de la Couillole and the traditionl closing stage with the famous Col d’Eze as the crucial climb.

Lotto Dstny is sending a mix of attackers and sprinters to the Race towards the Sun. Two-time winner Thomas De Gendt will be present for his 12^th participation, Arnaud De Lie will be riding his first stage race on WorldTour level. Cedric Beullens and Brent Van Moer complete the Belgian riders in the line-up. Harry Sweeny, Dutch champion and Jacopo Guarnieri finalize the Lotto Dstny team for Paris-Nice. Sports director Maxime Monfort explains the ambitions for eight days of racing in France.

Maxime Monfort: “Paris-Nice is a very prestigious race with a strong field of contenders but we want to leave a mark on the race with Lotto Dstny as well. With both offensive riders and enough guys for the sprint build-up, we have a balanced squad to make an impact on the race. For Arnaud De Lie, it will be his first stage race on WorldTour level, a next step in his development. On paper, there are about three stages which should suit him. As always, Arnaud is ambitious to show himself again and we will support him as good as possible.”

“But also in the stages suited to a breakaway, we have a few good cards to play. Thomas De Gendt already won two stages at Paris-Nice, but also with Van Moer, Sweeny and Eenkhoorn, we have guys in the line-up who like to race offensively. We especially aim for the sprint stages and stages suited to attackers, we don’t have any GC ambitions. When will Paris-Nice be a success for Lotto Dstny? Despite the strong field, we are ambitious and want to go home with a stage win from one of our riders.”

Image: Facepeeters.