Dubai, UAE, September 25, 2017:  UAE Team Emirates will head to Tuscany (Italy) to take part in two UCI Europe races - the Giro della Toscana-Memorial Martini (from 26th - 27th September) and the Coppa Sabatini - Gran Premio città di Peccioli (September 28) following the World Cycling Championships that concluded on Sunday in Bergen, Norway. 

 

The line-up consists of eight UAE Team Emirates’ riders for both races, with South African GC Specialist Louis Meintjes tackling both. Commenting on his return to Tuscany and familiarity of the course, Meintjes said: “I lived in Tuscany for a few years and I am quite familiar with the routes of both races. We are now coming to the end of the racing season, with only a few months left. Whether I do well in these races depends on how much energy I still have in my legs after a tough season. I hope to still be able to race competitively.” 

 

Taking part in Giro della Toscana-Memorial Martini alongside Meintjes this Tuesday are Darwin Atapuma (Colombia), Matteo Bono (Italy), Kristijan Durasek (Croatia), Filippo Ganna (Italy), Marko Kump (Slovenia), Aleksandr Riabushenko – Trainee (Belarus) and Federico Zurlo (Italy). 

 

Joining Meintjes at the Coppa Sabatini - Gran Premio città di Peccioli race is 2013 winner and Italian Sprinter, Diego Ulissi. Diego and Meintjes will race alongside six teammates including; Matteo Bono (Italy), Kristijan Durasek (Croatia), Filippo Ganna (Italy), Manuele Mori (Italy), Aleksandr Riabushenko – Trainee (Belarus) and Federico Zurlo (Italy).

 

Commenting on the race, Ulissi said: “I just finished racing at the World Cycling Championship and I am looking forward to return to the GP Peccioli. I like the route and have previously won it in 2013. It would be amazing to be able to do well again in this race.”

 

Commenting on his expectation for the race, UAE Team Emirates Sport Director Daniele Righi, Sports Director: “As always, the roads in Tuscany provide hilly routes that leave the race open to several outcomes. In particular, the second stage of the Giro della Toscana will feature an interesting finish in Volterra. We’ll see which one of our riders will be able to produce the kind of fast riding and agility needed for this type of finish. Ulissi will be competing in the GP Peccioli and having already won this race, he knows how to handle himself and hopefully will be able to vie for a good result.”

  

UAE Team Emirates will compete at several Italian races including; Giro dell'Emilia on 30 September, Grand Prix Beghellion on 1 October, Tre Valli Varesine on 3 October, Milano-Torino on 4 October, Gran Piemonte on 5 October and Il Lombardia on 7 October.