Dimension Data are backing Nathan Haas at the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday after the Australian showed strong form at Brabantse Pijl on Wednesday. Haas is a fast finisher from reduced groups and will be looking to be in position for the finish after the peloton tackles the 35 climbs throughout the 261km day, including the infamous Cauberg.
Changes to this year's parcours, with the Cauberg coming more than 16km from the finish, mean the race is wide-open this year and could be decided by the sprinters, but the long day of climbing could also provide opportunists with a chance to steal the day from a breakaway. Dimension Data hopes to be prepared for both scenarios.
"The plan for the race is to look after Nathan [Haas]," said Dimension data director Oli Cookson. "We want to put him in the best possible position for the final. However, due to the changes in the racecourse, I think we may see the favorites open up earlier than usual, as we have seen in the previous races this year. We need to be ready to react to that. We know that Nathan can do a good race and that Kristian [Sbaragli] has good legs as well. We are going to use our assets the best we can."
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Dimension Data for Amstel Gold: Nathan Hass, Jacques Janse van Rensburg, Ben King, Serge Pauwels, Youcef Reguigui, Johann Van Zyl, Jaco Venter, Kristian Sbaragli.
Synergy Baku suspends Averin for meldonium positive
Azerbaijan Continental team Synergy Baku has provisionally suspended Maxim Averin after the rider returned a non-negative test for meldonium at the Istrian Spring Trophy in March, according to a statement from the team. Averin has also been suspended from the Azerbaijan national team until investigations are completed.
"The detection of prohibited meldonium in the blood of Maxim Averin has caused a serious anxiety for the Azerbaijan Cycling Federation," the federation said in a statement released to media. "Maxim Averin has been removed from both the national team and the club while the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and UCI are processing the investigation on the aforementioned medicine in the athlete’s blood. The final decision will be made after the completion of the investigation."
Pozzovivo hunting more wins Tour of the Alps
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