Liv AlUla Jayco will field a strong, well-rounded line-up when the women’s peloton contests Sanremo Women for the first time in two decades, headlined by Mavi García and Letizia Paternoster.
The six-rider team is equipped for multiple eventualities, from an explosive race that suits the climbers to a fast group finale on the Via Roma.
Starting with the expert García, the talented Dutch Silke Smulders, and the young promising Monica Trinca Colonel, who finished fifth, 10th, and 11th respectively at Strade Bianche earlier in the month. The trio are on fine form and will be ready to take advantage if the race explodes over the climbs.
Ready for a sprint to the line will be the speedy Paternoster, who finished fifth at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda last weekend. She will be backed up by the strong Ruby Roseman-Gannon and Quinty Ton.
Saturday’s Sanremo Women marks the return of the race previously known as the “Primavera Rosa” since it stopped after 2005. Starting out in Genoa, the race will cover 156km and tackles the iconic climbs that have made the race, including the final decisive ascents of the Cipressa and the Poggio.
Liv AlUla Jayco
Mavi Garcia (ESP)
Letizia Paternoster (ITA)
Ruby Roseman-Gannon (AUS)
Silke Smulders (NED)
Quinty Ton (NED)
Monica Trinca Colonel (ITA)
Letizia Paternoster:
“Last Sunday’s fifth place at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda confirmed to me that I’m on the right track and ready for this first Sanremo. The other day, together with my teammates, we did the recon of the last 80 kilometres of the race. It’s easy to imagine a race that could already ignite on the Cipressa climb but I think that, as usually happens in the men’s race, the Poggio will make the real difference.”
Gene Bates (Sport Director):
“Sanremo Women comes back after 20 years so it’s an exciting moment for the women’s peloton in general. From our team perspective, I think Trofeo Alfredo Binda was a very good indication that our team is moving really well. We’ve got six in shape riders who are really motivated for this race. I expect a race that could already have big moves on the Cipressa and then on the Poggio leading into the finish. I’m confident we’ve got riders who can cover those moves and put us in a good situation in the finale.”
Photo: Sprint Cycling
