The Cannondale Pro Cycling team is ready to head to France to attend the Paris-Nice cycling race beginning Sunday, March 9 in Mantes-la-Jolie. Also known as "The Race to the Sun," the eight stage race will wrap up in Nice on Sunday, March 16. Paris-Nice is the second event of the UCI World Tour circuit and an important event on the Green Machine's schedule.

 

Hard and challenging routes of each stage, as well as its history, make "The Race to the Sun" one of the most prestigious races in the first part of the cycling season. Cannondale Pro Cycling selected Damiano Caruso, Alessandro De Marchi and Marco Marcato as leaders of the team to chase the win. For the three Italian riders, who have shared similar race schedules thus far, Paris-Nice is a major opportunity for success.

 

"Taking a win in this race could make a big difference for the rest of the season," said Caruso. "This is my first chance to really have a bold performance. Many cycling stars will be at the start, and we are all vying for the same stage wins. I have one goal for the Paris-Nice - return to Italy with positive results and success. I am really motivated to do it."

 

"I'm excited to come back to Paris-Nice after having debuted there last year. Since then, I've competed in challenging stages worldwide, and I really hope I do well this year," said De Marchi. "Each day is a learning opportunity. Anything can happen on any given day. It's too hard to focus only on a few stages. For me, it's either a breakaway or an attack in the finale in order to have a good outcome. We have eight long road race stages ahead, each with demanding routes. During the first days of riding, I will do my best for a strong result."

 

"I know I'm going to face this event with a good condition," said Marcato. "Since the Tour de San Luis my form has gotten better, and the feedback I've received has been positive. I enjoy the routes of each stage, and I think they are suited for my riding characteristics. Unlike last year, there is no time trial stage which means the race will be open for the win until the last day - tight stages and hot finales await us. We need to be ready every day to catch the right opportunity to surge ahead. At the end, we also have to consider the weather, a key factor of such a tough race."

 

The five other riders attending Paris-Nice on behalf of Cannondale Pro Cycling ensure the highest level of competition are experienced Italians Fabio Sabatini and Cristiano Salerno, climber from New Zealand George Bennett, and promising young talent, Davide Villella of Italy and Michel Koch of Germany. Team directors Mario Scirea and Gilles Pauchard, debuting with the team, will be the technical guides for the race.