Synergy Baku opens European season in GP Izola race
By Nigar Orujova
Three new riders will join the "GP de Izola" for Synergy Baku Cycling Project this weekend, as the Azerbaijan team opens its European season.
Austrians Markus Eibegger and Jan Sokol and brand-new signing Philip Lavery will make their debut for the national team, Azerbaijan Cycling Federation said.
They will be joined by Ukrainian Aleksandr Surotkovich and Irishman Connor McConvey at the one-day race in Slovenia on February 23.
The race runs 142 km with start and finish in Izola, with a closing circuit that features a short, sharp climb.
The team will look to Eibegger to finish on the podium. It hopes to send one rider in the expected early break, and "at the end, I think Markus will be our rider with the best chances," sport director Stefan Rucker said.
"He is good in fighting for position and on small climbs, and if he makes it into a small group, he can sprint well enough to make it on to the podium."
Eibegger himself said the coming race is an unknown for him. "So I don't know what to expect. For me it is more important to get the sense of racing again after the long winter break.
"My first big goal this year is Tour of Taiwan from March 9-13, so I have two races before that, GP Izola and GP Umag on March 5. I will test my condition in the race for sure and if I am doing a good result I will be happy, but the focus is on Taiwan."
Having looked at the course, "I now know why Eibegger was so keen to participate here because the course suits him down to the ground, but not just Markus, both Alex and Connor carry punch on this type terrain," according to team manager David McQuaid.
"Let's hope we see a glimpse of the form this weekend at GP Izola from Markus from when he won Tour de Taiwan back in 2011," he said.
All three agreed that it was time for this part of the eagerly anticipated season to start.
"There is a lot of buzz in the team and office this week, the guys in the Southern Hemisphere are building up with preparations for Langkawi and the guys here in Europe have received deliveries of their personalized race clothing from Santini. From the five man team lining up at GP Izola on Sunday, three of the guys are donning the Synergy Baku jersey for the first time in competition so they are gunning for a result," McQuaid said.
Eibegger stressed it is a very special feeling "if you know that a new era begins. My first race in Baku-outfit, a brand new bike, new teammates, a great race schedule, I guess it's gonna be a great year with heaps of fun and success!"
Rucker also noted that the enthusiasm extends beyond the riders. "Everyone is very excited that the season in Europe finally starts and we are looking forward to a good race."