Team Milram starts in the Tour de Suisse
Team MILRAM is sending an eight-rider team to the Tour de Suisse (June 14-22/UCI ProTour) as the last test before the Tour de France. The line-up will be led by Bayern Rundfahrt winner Christian Knees and MILRAM captain Erik Zabel. Both of them, as well as the others in the line-up, are on the preliminary Tour de France squad.
„The Tour de Suisse is our last test before the biggest season highlight,“ said Gerry van Gerwen, MILRAM's team manager. „We have the basics for our Tour de France team, now we are basically just filling the last free space. The Dauphiné Libéré and of course the Tour de Suisse are just the right places for our riders to recommend themselves.“
The race in Switzerland, which has been carried out since 1933, has been considered for years as the most important preparation race for the Tour de France. Whoever leads in the Alpine land is one of the favorites two weeks later in France. The riders will have enough chances to seriously test themselves during the nine stages. Both the sprinters and the GC rides will have their chances. The first real test will come in the second stage.
The second stage from Langnazu to Flumserberg is with its 197 kilometers not only the longest in the Tour, but offers the GC candidates the opportunity to show their abilities on the 10 km long closing climb. The Tour de Suisse reaches its highest point in the sixth stage. The challenging climb up the Nufenenpass comes directly at the start of the 188 km long stage from Ambri to Verbier. The race will probably be decided on the next-to-last day. The 25 km mountain time trial from Altdorf to Klausenpass will decide who wins the 72d race through Switzerland.
The Stages 2008:
1. Stage, 14.06.08: Langnau – Langnau 146 km
2. Stage, 15.06.08: Langnau – Flumserberg 197 km
3. Stage, 16.06.08: Flums – Gossau SG 155 km
4. Stage, 17.06.08: Gossau SG – Domat/Ems 171 km
5. Stage, 18.06.08: Domat/Ems – Caslano 190 km
6. Stage, 19.06.08: Ambri – Verbier 188 km
7. Stage, 20.06.08: Gruyères – Lyss 171 km
8. Stage, 21.06.08: Altdorf – Klausenpass 25 km
9. Stage, 22.06.08: Altdorf – Bern 168 km
Total: 1.411 km
The Team MILRAM line-up:
Christian Knees (GER/Euskirchen), Erik Zabel (GER/Unna), Martin Müller (GER/Berlin), Niki Terpstra (NED/Harlem), Enrico Poitschke (GER/Gera), Marco Velo (ITA/Brescia), Matej Jurco (SVK/Liptovsky Hradok), Ralf Grabsch (GER/Hürth)
Directeur Sportif: Oscar Pellicioli (ITA)
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