Alexander Cataford and UnitedHealthcare light out for a long stretch in Europe
Sixteen races in three countries await the men in blue
Canadian Alex Cataford and his American Pro Continental squad UnitedHealthcare embarks this week on a month and a half long early spring campaign in northwest Europe. A selection of nine riders will comprise the different 7-rider lineups over 16 races.
Team Director Hendrik Redant says, “I’m looking forward to our European racing schedule. Our riders will have to deal with the Belgian cobble roads, cold and wet circumstances, typical of the Belgian and Dutch weather, as well as with the challenging and more climbing French races. Nevertheless, I am sure they are all well prepared and super-motivated to fight in Europe with the top of world cycling.”
The team spent most of the last month in South America for the Vuelta a San Juan and the inaugural Colombia Oro y Paz. Cataford, in his first year with UnitedHealthcare after two with Silber, placed 20th in the 2.1 San Juan race, tops on his squad.
Here’s a sample of the outfit’s calendar: in a fortnight starting on February 27, the selection takes on Le Samyn, Dwars door West-Vlaanderen, Ronde van Drenthe, Danilith Nokere Koerse, and the Handzame Classic in Belgium and the Netherlands. In the latter part of March the squad will face the Grand Prix de Denain-Porte du Hainaut, Classic Loire Atlantique and Route Adélie de Vitré in France. The Tro Bro Leon in France in the final race on April 15.
Cataford is a likely lad for the French races. “I’m really looking forward to competing in the top scene of cycling, the spring classics in Belgium and France,” he says. “I’m looking to go over there and compete for the win in every race we enter. Personally, I will be targeting the races later on in the block when we head to France. The short but numerous climbs in those races suit me and I look forward to showing what I can do.”
UnitedHealthcare’s Spring Lineup
Eric Marcotte (USA)
Alex Cataford (Canada)
Daniel Eaton (USA)
Tanner Putt (USA)
Lachlan Norris (Australia)
Carlos Alzate (Colombia)
Adrian Hegyvary (USA)
Travis McCabe (USA)
