Published on : 02/14/2020
In Andalucia on Sunday (Classic of Almeria) and in Portugal next week (Volta a Algarve), Elia Viviani will show his European Champion jersey for the first time on the Old Continent. Having recovered 100% from his crash in Australia, he approaches these two races with great ambitions.
He's back and he's got ambitions. Elia Viviani is getting ready to launch his European season, starting this Sunday at the Almeria Classic (Spain) and then next week at the Volta a Algarve (Portugal). It will be his first race on the Old Continent with the Cofidis European Champion jersey. Injured in a crash at the Tour Down Under in January, the Italian fought hard to get back to the top level.
He claims to have recovered "100% of his capacities" and is now one of the candidates for victory in both of his competitions. In the Volta a the Algarve, two of the five stages should end to a sprint. For the northern team, which will do the best to put Elia Viviani in the best possible position, the race will be an important one: Cofidis, which has a strong presence in Portugal, and Cofidis is the main sponsor of this event.
THE COMMENTS
Elia VIVIANI:
"In Australia, we have shown beyond the results that we are a very unit team where all the riders can perform. Of course, it was difficult for me after my crash but I did everything I could to come back and I feel that I have recovered 100% of my means before tackling the next two races. These are important events, especially as Cofidis has a strong presence in Spain and Portugal and is the main sponsor of the Volta a Algarve. With the team, we're going to do everything we can to win! Finally, I'm very happy to team up for the first time with my brother Attilio at the Almeria Classic. He is in very good condition (he won one stage at the Tropicale Amissa Bongo) and will certainly help me to be well placed in the final sprint".
Christian GUIBERTEAU, Sporting Director:
"During the Almeria Classic, we will have to do everything we can to compete in the final sprint. We'll have to watch the race scenario to get over the bumps at the halfway point without any problems and be careful of breaks. Then we will do everything to place Elia (Viviani) as well as possible. He will also have opportunities at the Tour of Algarve, which is traditionally favourable for sprinters. We will do everything we can to make our colours shine in this race for which Cofidis is the main sponsor. »
