Spanish champion Mavi Garcia is aiming to reach the podium for Liv AlUla Jayco at the forthcoming Amstel Gold Race and Flèche Wallonne Femmes.
Garcia has been within touching distance of a top-three result at both races in recent years. She finished fourth in last season’s Flèche Wallonne and is hoping to go at least one better in the Belgian race.
Alongside Garcia will be the up-and-coming New Zealand champion Ella Wyllie, who made her debut at these hilly classics last season. Caroline Andersson, who has impressed in her opening races of the season, will be another card to play in both races.
De Brabantse Pijl podium finisher Alex Manly is on strong form and will ride both events, as will Ingvild Gåskjenn. Amber Pate will complete the line-up for the Amstel Gold Race, finishing off a solid block of racing at the classics, with Urška Žigart coming into the squad for Flèche Wallonne.
The parcours for the Amstel Gold Race appears like a sawblade as the race loops around the Limburg province of The Netherlands, taking in a relentless 21 climbs before finishing in Valkenburg.
While the climbs in the Ardennes are fewer at Flèche Wallonne Femmes, they are longer and the two trips up the brutally steep Mur de Huy will be a big test for the peloton.
Liv AlUla Jayco line-up for Amstel Gold Race
Caroline Andersson
Mavi Garcia
Ingvild Gåskjenn
Alex Manly
Amber Pate
Ella Wyllie
Liv AlUla Jayco line-up for Flèche Wallonne Femmes
Caroline Anderson
Mavi Garcia
Ingvild Gåskjenn
Alex Manly
Ella Wyllie
Urška Žigart
Mavi Garcia:
“After Trofeo Alfredo Binda (in March) I went directly to Sierra Nevada for an altitude camp. I did a very good job before this important block of races and stayed there until a few days ago. Amstel Gold Race and Flèche Wallonne Femmes are two races that I’m always good at and I’m looking forward to achieving a good result, especially in Flèche. In the last three years I was really close to the podium doing fifth, fifth and fourth position.”
Wim Stroetinga (Sport Director):
“Mavi should be in a good shape, and she has the experience in those races and knows when and where to be. She has proved to be really good this year and that she can really go for a win in both races. In addition, we have our youngster Ella, who still has to learn, but with the knowledge that Mavi has, she can be up there to and they can play the game together. The main thing for them is that they have a really strong team around them, and the others can also take advantage of it to go a bit earlier. There should be lots of opportunities and we are looking forward to these races and showing our team colours in the finals.”
Photo: Sprint Cycling
