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Canadian riders out front for Rally Cycling’s second European campaign of 2016

This month, the team's European ambitions will take riders across three countries, competing in four stage races.

Image: Handout
Image: Handout

As the momentum of the 2016 season continues to build, Rally Cycling—the men’s squad formerly known as Optum—is embarking on its second European campaign, returning to Europe after opening the season in early February at France’s La Méditerranéenne.

This month, the team’s European ambitions will take riders across three countries, competing in four stage races.

It begins March 10 with the Istrian Spring Trophy in Crotia, a competition that continues until Sunday, March 13. First raced in 1961, when the event was known as Adranksa Magistrala, it became a competition for the global pros in 2000. With Canadian riders like Rob Britton and Adam De Vos as part of Rally’s Croatia front, Evan Huffman, who co-leads the squad at the Istrian Spring Trophy alongside Britton, is eager to top a tough experience in France last month.

“I have some good momentum going at the moment,” Huffman said, “and I am excited to head back to Europe after a difficult race at La Méditerranéenne. It’s always great to race in Europe and I want to help the team get a stage win or a general classification podium.”

Other riders contributing to Rally’s efforts in Croatia include Tom Zirbel and sprint specialist Eric Young.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Rally roster will be in Portugal on March 12 and 13, contesting the GP Liberty Seguros. In contrast with the Istrian Spring Trophy, the GP Liberty Seguros is a grinding, hilly course ideal for the squad’s climbing specialists. All-rounders will then lead the charge from March 16 to 20 at the Volta ao Alentejo, its five road stages suitable to riders like B.C.’s Will Routley, as well as Bjorn Selander, Danny Pate and Emerson Oronte.

Britton will be part of a three-rider vanguard in general classification at the Settimana Internazionale Coppi E Bartali, finishing Rally’s European campaign in Italy from March 24 to 27. Alongside Huffman and Pate, Britton will lead the squad’s GC pursuits at the four-stage race, reputed to be one of the most demanding in the world—a quality that makes it an ideal proving ground for the Amgen Tour of California.

To Rally cycling officials, the squad’s second European campaign marks a new apex in the level of competition for which the team has been training.

“Our March program has come together nicely,” said Jonas Carney, Rally Cycling’s performance manager. “All of our athletes will have the opportunity to participate in some really tough European races to prepare for the U.S. schedule in April and May. We are excited to return to Portugal, as the GP Liberty Seguros and Volta ao Alentejo are fantastic races and we have some strong performances at both in years past.”

“The Istrian Spring Trophy in Croatia,” Carney said, referring to the action kicking off March 10, “will be a great race to prepare the guys for a very difficult Settimana Internazionale Coppi E Bartali in Italy.”

Rally Cycling: European Campaign, March 2016

Istarsko Proljece – Istrian Spring Trophy (UCI 2.2) – March 10-13
Jesse Anthony
Rob Britton
Adam De Vos
Evan Huffman
Eric Young
Tom Zirbel

GP Liberty Seguros (UCI 2.2) – March 12-13
Brad Huff
Shane Kline
Pierrick Naud
Emerson Oronte
Danny Pate
Will Routley
Bjorn Selander
Tom Soladay

Volta ao Alentejo (UCI 2.2) – March 16-20
Brad Huff
Shane Kline
Pierrick Naud
Emerson Oronte
Danny Pate
Will Routley
Bjorn Selander
Tom Soladay

Settimana Internazionale Coppi E Bartali (UCI 2.1) March 24-27
Jesse Anthony
Rob Britton
Adam De Vos
Evan Huffman
Pierrick Naud
Danny Pate